Nervous traveller in london?

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Elcie

Yeah two approaches choose the most appropriate,
Once you arrive call the cops tell them you need a night guard coz someone is going to rob you. If they dismiss you justify by telling them thats what you pay taxes for and the queen does not give out even a penny yet she enjoys all these.
Else, you need to give more info to the thugs; how many bags will you be carrying,do they have valuables and what clothing you will be wearing and how many people will be accompanying you? Dont forget to shout you have just arrived and you are lost once you alight!!! he he he he ................ jiggae what!

No need to be paranoid, london is not that bad :-)
some general tips, which go for any big city, really:
always look confident
know where you are going, in advance. If you get lost in a side street, just keep going until you reach a main thoroughfare, and then try and get your bearings.

I dont know the west of london (ealing) so I cant help with any specific tips for that area, but in central london (west end, soho, mayfair, covent garden, etc) 11pm is still prime time and you'll find lots of people about.... muggers tend to avoid crowds.
be aware of pickpockets. They are the opposite. they love crowds and they operate at all times of day. Simply be aware of your surroundings and use some common sense when carrying valuables

abilityunknown

you will be fine....just don't look like a target...keep your valuables stashed away...

snetterton

Keep your purse in an inside pocket, not the back pocket of your jeans. Don't use your mobile unless it's an emergency, and certainly not just as you leave a tube station. Keep your Ipod hidden away so only the earphones are visible and the player itself is in an inside pocket. Hold on tight to your bags on the tube, wrapping the handles at least once round your wrist.
I don't mean to scare the wits out of you, but these are sensible precautions that almost all Londoners take. It's generally tourists, drunks and dippy people who get robbed.

Gin Sling

I have lived whist travelling in some real budget locations in London, New York, Los Angeles and Israel & have spent time in Asia, Russia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland and Chezk Rep.

99% of time its fine and London's a really cool place and you should have a blast - don't go there thinking doom & gloom, be positive and try to radiate your well being (some people are like sharks and can smell your fear - I'm not kidding)- if you really think it's not for you don't go - buy a good book instead.....

If you do go THINK. If a situation (tube station/bus station/ street whatever) doen't look right walk away ( having a few mini cab / taxi nos in your phone is a really good idea - wait in a cafe or hotel lobby until it turns up). Its far better to get away from a situation and be out of pocket rather than take a risk & may end up in a more complex one.

Dress down Black & Grey are always popular in England!! & a dull beany hat pulled down over your eybrows gives out a good " I'm mean leave me alone " look - for the late at night tube/bus rides (just remember to take it off when you are asking the dooman to wait inside for your cab....). If you go out and get leathered - don't go home alone!!! New Yorkers routinely carry two wallets one with a couple of quid in it and some junk - just in case the worst does happen - this is quite a well known stunt now so best rule is - If you don't NEED it don't carry it (leave it at home) - including any flash/bling mobiles/Ipods watches.

Check out your route during the daytime whilst businesses are open and people are around. ( The Military have a saying " time spent in reconnisence is seldom wasted").That way you will know where exit routes are should the worst happen - but lets not get all doom and gloom 5 Million people go to work and get home each day in London so 5 Million + 1 should be alright!!

Below are some usefull addresses for you - & Google Earth will let you have a peep at the route you will be using.Be confident keep your radar up and enjoy yourself

Tazman

Wow!!!!! I never realised i have lived in such a scary dangerous place all these years. London has had some bad press over the years, but it is no different to any other major city in the world.

I would offer you a couple of tips, because there are people in every city who would try to con/ rob you if given the chance. London is full of tourists, so you will not look out of place, and eberyone gets lost, so you would be no different. Plan your journey out and about well, and be aware of the train / bus time tables. You mentioned 'we' in your question, so assume you will not be travelling alone, which is a bonus. If you need to take a taxi, make sure you use the traditional London Black Cabs, as these are registered. Whereas, there are loads of 'pirate' cab firms who do tend to rip off tourists. The ubderground is generally safe to travel on, so really no need to be too worried.
The best tip I can pass on to you is - use common sense, that works every time.
Only places i would avoid at night are the large housing estates - Harlesden, Tottenham, Hackney, as these tend to be crime hot spots

I really hope you enjoy your stay

david f

I have lived in London for 52 years and have never been robbed. I only ever use public transport - frequently late at night, and in the case of a double-deck bus I always travel on the top deck. Relax it isn't going to happen. Just be sensible, as I would imagine you normally are.
Ealing is a respectable area anyway. You are even less likely to get trouble there.

SYJ

Make friends with someone you know and travel together. Not everyone gets robbed in London. Some make the headlines and draw your attention to it but think of the millions travelling around all the time and 11 pm isn't that dangerous. Just relax and enjoy yourself.

Coley

Just don't put anything of monetary value on show...
Your phone, I-pod or camera etc. Stick to the Chiswick and Richmond side of Ealing, It's lovely there.
Have fun!

Hannah L

London is, like most places, very safe if you are sensible.

Don't flash valuables, and keep things like your wallet and mobile phone in a secure pocket or bag. Note that you should also be sure to keep your bag with you at all times on the underground (because of the terrorist threat).

Try to stay on main, well lit streets when walking around at night, and walk with confidence (studies show that you are less likely to be attacked or robbed if you don't look like an easy target - common sense really!)

Ealing is not a particulary dangerous area at all so just be sensible! There should still be plenty of people walking around at this time of night (us Londoners are a social bunch!) so you won't feel too vunerable I don't think.

iain xx

It wont be a problem, the underground is safe to use. Just use your common sense.

Georgie

Its only Ealing, dont worry about it, its hardly Harlesden (now you would wanna be nervous there)
Just be aware and dont flash your cash and valuables about.

emily_jane2379

Don't have your a-z out at all times- you will look like a confused tourist. Ask staff for directions rather than other people if you need them. Act confident and don't overly worry- you will be fine

Joan el guiri

Don't be worried.
London is a very safe city.

As anywhere else and based on watching movies, , keep away from the power stations, Hospital stairways, underground car parks and risks of alien abduction.

Keep to busy places as you would anywhere.

aotea s

Hi nervous traveller. Well my son is just back from doing a trip to London and Canada.
The only thing he was worried about was been mugged and having his backpack taken. So lesson to learn don't take your eyes off your pack and don't lay it down on the ground.
Also don 't get anyone to look after it for you.

Everything else is in your and gods hands.
When travelling, you either enjoy yourself and take notice of your surroundings. That's what its all about, the more you worry the more your going to wonder why the hell you bothered going.
Smell the roses take it all in, Enjoy and try to make friends with the right people.
It might be the last time anyone will ever get to see what you are seeing. Your a very lucky person to be able to do it at this time.

Take care and Good luck

Mea

just go about ya business as u would in your own town your be fine

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