Is London safe?

A good question, and the answer is… it’s as safe, or unsafe, as any other big city in the world. It’s as safe as you make it.

What we mean is this: if you walk round the city, dripping with gold and watches, fifteen cameras round your neck, flashing thick wallets, leaving bags behind and looking and acting generally gormless and loud, then yes, it’s not safe and you are asking for trouble.

If you carry just what you need, know where you are going and behave in a sensible and alert way, you will be fine.

There are things to watch out for: pickpockets, aggressive beggars, people doing the three card trick, buskers gathering a crowd, human statues, you know the kind of things. Just be careful.

You do not need to carry your passport with you so keep it in a safe place. Keep a photocopy. Have a list of serial numbers for phones, cameras etc. Don’t leave things lying around unattended. Don’t get dragged in to conversations with strangers. Don’t give beggars money. Shop assistants and waiters should not be taking your payment card away from you.

Have travel insurance.

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Got a question?

Got a question about London?

You can ask us here: https://www.pwsanders.uk/contact-us/

If we know, we will post an answer here.

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Do we like foreigners?

Or, if you like, will you be welcomed in London?

This is such a tricky question.

Years ago we had a referendum on whether the UK should leave the European Union. It was called Brexit – I have no idea why.

I have ‘friends’ who were very keen to leave the EU. For all of them, the main issue was immigration. As one said “there are too many bl*cks [here]”. We are not generally great fans of people from other nations, or people who even just look like they are from other nations.

The truth is that for most of the country foreigners are maybe tolerated. But that’s it. If you don’t speak English you will have a tough time. If you don’t look English you will have a tough time. The locals will look at you with derision and may even make comments about you out loud (but it’s not as bad as Poland).

It’s not true in the major cities, or big tourist areas. Come to Manchester, Birmingham or London and you will find people of all nations living, working and visiting. You will be treated as well and the same as anyone else. No-one cares. But the further north you go, the worse it gets.

One great game we enjoy is sitting (upstairs) on a bus listening to the people in front talking and trying to figure out their language.

Some of the larger stores do accept foreign currency, euros and dollars probably, but beware as the exchange rate will not be good. You may find shops with staff who speak other languages. You would normally expect a waiter in a Spanish restaurant to speak Spanish. If you don’t speak English, you will get by though no problem.

We hope you will have a good time, and come back.

The only exception may be those very loud and demanding Americans who still seem to exist.

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