Is it safe foreign tourist hang out at night in london?

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Nick G

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I am British, currently living and working in Seoul.

Firstly, I hope that you enjoy your trip to the UK and Europe as much as I enjoy seeing more of Asia, in particular, Korea.

I think Koreans often tell scare stories about going to other places. I hear from a Korean friend how most countries in Asia (including India) are too dangerous to go to. I think this is rubbish.

The UK is a fairly safe country to go to. In terms of crime, the most serious problem is gun crime, which, statistically is prodominantly black people on black people gang crime.

I have lived in the UK for 27 years and never been burgled. I've lived in Korea for 2 years and been burgled here once. Crime can happen anywhere.

London is fairly safe for a tourist. However, you should be sensible wherever you go. Beware of pickpockets - they exist in every busy city in the world. Keep your cash in your pocket and check it regularly. Be careful people can't see your PIN when using cash machines.

At night in London, many people do get drunk. However, most people are good natured. Use your common sense: if people look dangerous, take another route. Of course, always plan your way home before going out.

Basically my top tip:
* Never be complacent. If you don't protect yourself from crime, it will show and you are more likely to be a victim. But if you are overcautious, that will show and you could become a target then. Just be a little careful wherever you go.

The UK isn't really very dangerous, I don't think.

Have fun!

Nick / ê°•ì‚°
:)

Alesha

Im from London and it's quite safe at night. There are people out all day and all night. Just avoid carrying money and your phone around and you should be fine :)

My mate got mugged last month in the day while playing football aha they took his phone lool

angel_gyal4ever

Don't listen to them. London is safe. At least relative to (many) cities in the US.

mageta8

You're just as safe (or not) as a local. You just have to know your surroundings and use common sense/judgment where ever you go...even if you were in your own hometown at night.

rachiti

It's about as safe as any other major metropolitan city at night which has a reasonably good police force.

Basically, use common sense. If you're part of a large crowd, you're relatively safe. If you're walking alone down a deserted side street at 2am, you're really really asking for trouble.

Carrie S

People who have never been to London are often scared and ignorant and think that it's like some kind of Afghan war zone with youths gunning each other down in the street every night. Load of rubbish.

Yes there is gun and knife crime in London but the targets are usually young, black kids from estates who are in gangs and have connections to drugs. If you are in the Centre of London and don't get too drunk (dangerous in any unfamiliar place!) and know how you are getting home it will be fine.

There will be pickpockets and other opportunistic criminals lurking around in the Centre of London but I don't think I'd describe having my money stolen as very very dangerous - just upsetting.

There are lots of things tourists can do to stop looking like targets. Know where you are - know where you are going. Don't stop every 2 seconds and pull out an A-Z or map - it shows you are lost. Don't carry your passport or large amounts of cash on you. Most shops accept credit / debit cards so there is no need to carry a lot of cash.

Don't flash the bling! If you must take a camera with you, don't wear it around your neck - this screams mug me mug me. Keep it in a bag or rucksack. Walk with purpose even if you don't know where you are going. Don't get into a mini cab unless you have ordered it from either a man at a registered stand as in outside a club or over the phone - they are illegal. Do use a black cab if you can afford it. Make sure you check where you catch your night bus if you need to get one home and how often they are. Don't take short cuts down dark alleys and make sure someone knows where you are going.

I went to London alone 4 years ago. Pretty safe. I took public transport everywhere. Don't carry much money whereever you go. Avoid carrying bum bags and other touristy things. Make sure you have zips in the pockets that you do carry money in. There are pick pockets everywhere. or so i was told.
But generally pretty safe. Lots of people at all hours of day & night. Police petroling the streets often.

Jemima

In certain places.
people can spot a tourist a mile away, and there are alot of pick pocket's in London they target tourist's all the time, so i would wear your bag on the front.
Pick pockets normally work in pairs so watch out

Derke N

They have to sweep the streets of bodies, blood and organs each night. Abandon hope all ye who enter here.

arancou

what about those knife crimes? it's such a big scar in london's face. just be careful. i hope to visit London when it becomes safer.

Kaitlynn

its safe but like
carry a gun with you

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