The safest places have been mapped (Image: Getty)
The UK’s safest and least safe areas to live in the event of a national crisis or catastrophe have been outlined on a map, which puts locations with military sites and among the most dangerous.
The map was designed after the UK Government issued its ‘Be Ready’ guidance for Brits, urging them to prepare an emergency kit comprising items such as non-perishable food, bottled water, and wind-up radios.
While the map shows the best and worst places to live for all kinds of catastrophes, the poor ratings for areas near military sites suggest these towns and cities could be especially vulnerable in the event of a major conflict.
Serhii Kashevko, a 30-year-old Ukrainian tech entrepreneur who carried out the analysis, found that Fermanagh and Omagh in southwest Northern Ireland are the safest area due to their remoteness, agricultural land, and lack of military bases.
England’s safest place, according to the data, is Thanet in Kent.
Speaking to the Independent, Kashevsko explained: “I looked at the effects of Russian attacks on Ukraine. One of the factors I used to assess areas was how populated they are … something I understood with how much more damage Russian attacks do in crowded areas of Ukraine.”
The UK’s most dangerous location is Gosport, the analysis found. It has 15 military or nuclear sites within a 19-mile radius.
The UK’s 10 Safest Areas to Live During a Crisis Mapped – And the 10 Most Dangerous
A fascinating new map has revealed the parts of Britain considered the safest places to live in the event of a major national emergency – alongside ten areas identified as potentially the most vulnerable.
The findings have attracted considerable attention as concerns about international conflicts, cyberattacks, national security and potential disruptions to essential services continue to grow.
The analysis, created by Ukrainian technology entrepreneur Serhii Kashevko, uses a so-called ‘Doomsday’ postcode checker to assess how vulnerable different parts of the United Kingdom could be during a major catastrophe.
Its findings reveal a striking geographical divide. Remote rural communities in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland generally perform well, while densely populated urban areas and locations close to important military infrastructure receive considerably worse assessments.
But which parts of Britain come out on top, and which areas are considered the most vulnerable?
A New Map Examines Britain’s Potential Weak Points
The postcode checker was developed following the government’s ‘Be Ready’ campaign, which encouraged households to prepare for emergencies by keeping essential supplies at home.
The online tool assesses local authority areas using several different factors, including population density, proximity to potentially important strategic infrastructure, geographical features and access to emergency medical services.
Areas are assigned ratings ranging from A to G, with the highest ratings indicating comparatively lower vulnerability.
The creator was inspired partly by his experiences following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
His analysis considers how population density, geographical surroundings and proximity to important infrastructure could influence the consequences of a major national emergency.
However, the rankings are not an official government assessment or a scientific prediction of what would happen during a war. They should be treated as an experimental risk comparison rather than a definitive safety guide.
The UK’s 10 Safest Areas During a Major Crisis
According to the analysis reported by The Independent, the safest locations are concentrated in relatively remote parts of the country.
Here are the ten areas identified in the ranking:
1. Fermanagh and Omagh – Northern Ireland
Fermanagh and Omagh takes the top position.
Its relatively low population density, extensive agricultural landscape and distance from major military infrastructure contribute to its favourable assessment.
The area is known for its countryside, lakes and rural communities, making it one of Northern Ireland’s most distinctive regions.
2. Derry City and Strabane – Northern Ireland
Another Northern Irish district features near the top of the ranking.
Derry City and Strabane combines urban communities with extensive rural surroundings, although its assessment varies depending on local geography.
3. Causeway Coast and Glens – Northern Ireland
Famous for its dramatic coastline and countryside, Causeway Coast and Glens also receives a favourable ranking.
Its relatively dispersed communities contribute to its position in the analysis.
4. Newry, Mourne and Down – Northern Ireland
This district benefits from a mixture of rural landscapes, mountains and coastal communities.
Its geographical characteristics help explain its relatively favourable assessment.
5. Shetland Islands – Scotland
The remote Shetland Islands are Scotland’s highest-ranked location.
Their geographical isolation and relatively small population contribute to their position.
6. Mid Ulster – Northern Ireland
Mid Ulster is another predominantly rural district featuring among the ten safest locations.
Its landscape includes agricultural areas, smaller settlements and extensive countryside.
7. Gwynedd – Wales
Gwynedd is identified as Wales’s safest area.
The mountainous landscape of Eryri, also known as Snowdonia, contributes to its favourable assessment.
8. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon – Northern Ireland
This area also features in the top ten, reflecting the relatively favourable scores achieved by several Northern Irish districts.
9. Orkney Islands – Scotland
Orkney’s remote island location and comparatively small population help secure its place in the ranking.
10. Thanet – England
Thanet is identified as England’s safest area in this particular analysis.
Located in Kent, the district benefits from its coastal geography and its distance from some major inland strategic infrastructure.
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The 10 Most Vulnerable Areas in Britain
The other side of the ranking presents a very different picture.
According to the postcode checker, areas close to major defence installations, important government infrastructure and densely populated urban centres are potentially more exposed in a national catastrophe.
The ten locations identified are:
1. Gosport – Hampshire
Gosport is ranked as the most vulnerable area in the UK.
The analysis highlights its proximity to numerous military and nuclear-related sites, with 15 such locations reportedly within a 19-mile radius.
2. Portsmouth – Hampshire
Portsmouth also features prominently because of its importance to the Royal Navy and its major naval infrastructure.
3. Westminster – London
Westminster is home to Parliament, government departments and important national institutions.
Its concentration of strategic infrastructure contributes to its unfavourable assessment.
4. Cheltenham – Gloucestershire
Cheltenham is particularly notable because it is home to GCHQ, one of Britain’s most important intelligence and communications organisations.
5. Rushmoor – Hampshire
Rushmoor includes Aldershot and Farnborough, areas associated with important military and aviation infrastructure.
6. City of London – London
The financial district contains important economic and communications infrastructure.
Its high population and concentration of major institutions contribute to its ranking.
7. Southwark – London
Southwark’s location within central London means it is close to numerous important institutions and major transport infrastructure.
8. Plymouth – Devon
Plymouth is home to HMNB Devonport, one of the Royal Navy’s most important naval facilities.
9. Islington – London
Islington’s position within the capital contributes to its relatively high vulnerability assessment.
10. Hammersmith and Fulham – London
This London borough completes the list, reflecting the wider concentration of population and important infrastructure across the capital.
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Why Are Major Cities Considered More Vulnerable?
One of the most important factors highlighted by the analysis is population density.
Large cities depend on complex systems to provide electricity, water, food, healthcare and transport.
If a major emergency disrupts these systems, millions of people could experience difficulties simultaneously.
Urban areas also contain important financial institutions, communications networks, government buildings and transport connections.
This does not mean that every city would necessarily be dangerous during a crisis.
Cities also benefit from major hospitals, emergency services, extensive infrastructure and established support networks.
However, their dependence on interconnected services can create additional challenges during widespread disruption.
Why Rural Communities May Have an Advantage
The findings suggest that remote rural communities could experience fewer of the pressures associated with densely populated areas.
Lower population density, agricultural land and geographical separation from certain strategic facilities may offer advantages in some emergency scenarios.
However, rural living also comes with disadvantages.
Smaller communities may have fewer hospitals, limited emergency services and greater dependence on roads and supply deliveries.
Severe weather, flooding or disruptions to transport could make accessing essential supplies more difficult.
Therefore, living in a highly ranked rural location does not automatically guarantee safety.
Britain’s Government Urges Households to Prepare
The findings come amid growing attention to the government’s emergency preparedness campaign, known as ‘Be Ready’.
The guidance encourages households to consider how they would manage if essential services were temporarily disrupted.
Basic preparations include keeping drinking water, non-perishable food, torches, batteries and a battery-powered or wind-up radio.
The general recommendation is to have enough essential supplies to manage for approximately three days.
These preparations are useful not only during major international emergencies but also during severe weather, flooding, electricity interruptions and other unexpected events.
Importantly, emergency preparedness is relevant regardless of where someone lives.
Should People Consider Moving to a Safer Area?
The rankings have inevitably raised questions about whether people should reconsider where they live.
However, experts would caution against making major decisions about housing based on a single experimental postcode checker.
The tool does not provide a guaranteed prediction of survival or establish that one local authority is objectively safer than another in every possible emergency.
Different crises create different risks.
Flooding, extreme weather, industrial accidents, cyberattacks and military conflict all require different considerations.
A location that performs well in one hypothetical scenario might face significant disadvantages in another.
Access to healthcare, reliable transport, family support, employment and essential services should remain important considerations when choosing somewhere to live.
Conclusion: Which Parts of Britain Come Out on Top?
The new analysis provides an interesting insight into how geography, population density and strategic infrastructure could influence vulnerability during a major national emergency.
Fermanagh and Omagh emerges as Britain’s highest-ranked area, while Gwynedd leads the Welsh rankings and Shetland comes out on top in Scotland. Thanet is identified as England’s safest location.
At the other end of the table, Gosport, Portsmouth and several London districts are among the locations considered most vulnerable.
However, these rankings are based on an experimental model, not an official forecast of future attacks or disasters.
The bigger message is that emergency preparedness matters everywhere.
Whether someone lives in a busy city, a coastal town or a remote rural community, having essential supplies, understanding local risks and knowing how to access emergency information can make a significant difference.
The question is not simply where Britain would be safest during a crisis, but how prepared are we wherever we happen to live?