Although certainly not the most dangerous of British cities, Plymouth has several areas which are best avoided at night. There is a large population of drug-users in the city and it is not unusual to see drunken brawls in the Union Street area after dark. For this reason there is generally a police presence there at night. The city has a high index of social deprivation and the inhabitants are noticeably less affluent than in Devon's other city, Exeter. Beggars tend to hang around the city centre and it is best not to offer them money as this exacerbates the problem. A firm but polite "not today" works best. The main Police station is at Charles Cross.
