London is a safe city by most standards—you'll enjoy a far greater degree of personal security in parks and on public transport than in many other large cities. Petty crime can be a problem, however, and it's wise to be extra careful with your wallet or purse, particularly on public transport and in restaurants, pubs and bars—keep your bags with you at all times. Also be careful in crowded tourist spots such as Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street (a favorite of dippers—petty thieves who steal wallets and other precious items from handbags and rucksacks). Sad to say, but tourists are a target for a lot of petty crime. Although sometimes it's impossible, avoid looking too much like a visitor if you can—keep items such as cameras and wallets out of sight. With a little planning and a general awareness of your environment, you should be alright.
At night it's best not to go too far off the beaten track, although this is largely a caution—in general it's unlikely that you'll encounter anything more dangerous than groups of young men and women on a boozy night out. Avoid unlicensed minicabs, which are not always safe. It's fair to say that the likelihood of coming face-to-face with crime is greater in some of the areas beyond the center, particularly to the east and south. Up-and-coming areas such as Brixton and the East End are generally higher in crime. Stick to the areas where the crowds are, however, and you shouldn't have any trouble at all.
Since the July 2005 Underground and bus bombings, there has been a great increase in security measures, not just on public transport but around the city generally. Sniffer dogs and random searches have been introduced in strategic places, including the entrances to Underground stations. Be prepared to cooperate with these procedures, although they are not causing excessive delays to people's journeys. It would be wise, however, to allow a little extra time getting to and from airports. People are advised to be vigilant at all times, report any suspicious activity and not to leave possessions unattended anywhere.
For the latest information, contact your country's travel-advisory agency.
Dos & Don'ts
Do buy an
A-Z: The little map books are invaluable. But don't refer to them as an "A through Zee" unless you want to get laughed at: It's called the "A to Zed."
Don't be afraid to ask for directions. Despite their demeanor, most Londoners, including the police, will be only too happy to share their knowledge of the best way to get from one place to another.
Do stand on the right side going up or down escalators—the left is reserved for people walking.
Don't expect any consistency in metric/imperial measurements. Temperature is almost always centigrade, but distance is always in miles. Petrol (gasoline) is bought in liters, but fuel efficiency is discussed in miles per gallon. Beer is definitely in pints (which is bigger than an American pint), but wine and spirits are measured in centiliters. Most food is weighed in kilograms, but people are still weighed in stones and pounds.
