London Danger Areas

Selfridges.

There are no areas of London that I wouldn't go to, but after dark, I would be wary of dark alleyways and poorly lit streets. I would be slightly more wary of areas such as Dalston and Peckham at night, but these are not likely to be areas that tourists would visit.

I doubt that you will see a violent crime in London during your time. Like you most Londoners have not seen a violent crime. I would give you the same advice I would give any one visiting a bigger city, Be aware. Be aware of your surroundings and your belongings. If something feels off listen to your gut. That is the same advice I would give if you were visiting a big city in the USA or anywhere.

Like the above poster said look at the area when it is dark, if there aren't a lot of people or if the area seems sketchy, find a brightly lit street and people.

*Selfridges

JC you have a winner

Edit: but I have the opposite problem as some of the above posters as my husband seeks out sketchy alleys so he won't have to walk past lit store windows or, heaven forbid, open shops with me!

Keim, one thing that is different about Europe is that usually, the most desirable and expensive parts of town to live in, are the central, older parts of the city. Thats where most of the tourist attractions are. Unlike most US cities (yes there are exceptions) where the suburbs are where the money lives, and are perceived as safer.

Jokey reply....Hatton Garden

Serious reply: there are a few housing projects that I would not recommend American tourists to visit. However, they are not in areas that tourists are likely to accidentally wander into, and you will pick up on the atmosphere as you approach them, if you have any level of urban street awareness.

Kiem, how long will you be in London?
Your other questions you have posted are about Germany, Switzerland and Italy on this vacation.
If you are staying briefly in London, you will probably be doing the main tourist sights and will be in no danger.
If you are spending only one day in London and then going to the airport to fly out to your other destinations, that limits the amount of time you need to be concerned about danger in London.
Highly unlikely you'd accidentally wander into a dangerous neighborhood if you are seeing the usual tourist sights.

Absolutely completely agree about Selfridges. Used to go there - no more.

Same with Harrods.

The one place I would stay away from, seriously, is anywhere football hooligans congregate.

This hasn't been discussed so i thought i would bring it up. Is there any place or Neighborhood in London you would't go with your wife?

Yes, where my girlfriend lives.

I need somewhere to go while the wife is at Selfridges.

I will be in London for only 2 Nights. So yes we will probably stick to the Touristy sites.

But honestly the recent reports of Acid attacks scare me more than the thought of being shot. I'd rather be dead than disfigured and blind. But i also realize those incidents are very rare.

Keim, that attack was done by Russians on Russians and it wasn’t in London. London is one of the safest cities in the world. When my husband and I or my friend and I are in London we are always out walking day and night. We always go to the theatre, we walk and use the tube back to the hotel. Have never had any trouble during the many trips to London. If you keep worrying you won’t enjoy yourself. Relax and enjoy beautiful London.

Nicole, I forgotten about the attacks last July, but as Emma said the perpetrator knows the victim.

Robin - there were acid attacks in London last July - two teens were arrested and charged. And corrosive fluid attacks have been on the rise since 2010.

Keim - the odds of this happening to you are so small as to be miniscule. As others have said, just be aware of your surroundings. Enjoy your trip and don't let this worry ruin it for you. I've been to London 6 times in the last 10 years and have never felt unsafe. I worry more about a Londoner getting mad at me for not standing on the right on the escalators to the Tube!

Rural areas of North America have historically had a higher crime rate than urban neighbourhoods. This depends on mathematics. "Rates" are percentages and since rural areas are sparsely populated, the odds may be high but number of incidents reflects the small populations. Drug-fuelled and gang wars are the exceptions in NA big cities; other crimes have steadily declined for over a decade.
This has nothing to do with London. Street violence, especially the random sort associated with armed robbery, has never been common. Pickpockets are another matter but the whole idea is to get away unnoticed rather than waving a gun or a knife. Cold War assassinations or crazy terrorism can happen anywhere, sadly.

I wouldn’t worry about the acid attacks – you're more likely to get stabbed, punched in a pub, or knocked down by looking the wrong way when crossing the road. Then there’s the risk of falling down the tube escalators, or blisters on the feet from all that walking.

You might get a shock at the prices of houses in estate agents’ windows.

It’s all kicking off down at West Ham so stay away…

Or the wife might meet some suave sophisticated Hugh Grant type and run off with him.

Thanks everybody for your thoughts. I don't think worried would be the right word, i'm just making sure i'm fully aware:)

The Acid attacks are so rare and heinous that's why they caught my attention. Its basically the worst thing you can do to a human IMO.

Keim:

I actually know where Berlin Ohio is, so I can tell you that you that from a violent crime perspective you will be much safer in London than you will be in Canton Akron or Cleveland.

As for petty crime, that happens, even in touristy areas. Just be aware of your surroundings and use common sense. My wife and I (we live in South Euclid on Cleveland's east side) were in London and Paris last September and October and we walked everywhere and rode the Tube (always crowded), Metro (also crowded) and trains in both countries, and had no problems. You'll be fine! Relax and enjoy one of the world's great cities!

herronlaw:

I agree, but you don't have to worry about Acid Attacks in those 3 Cities whoever rare they might be. Or Terror attacks.

Let me be clear, i'm not worried, just doing my research that i don't take unnecessary risks. And as you probably know, Holmes County is about as crime free as any place you'll find in the U.S.

I spend anywhere from 2-4 months a year in London. I was there all of last summer when the acid attacks took place.

I wasn't worried. It's like hearing about a terrorist incident and automatically assuming the place is not safe. I was there for the Manchester bombing, the attack on the Westminster Bridge and the bombing at Parsons Green tube station. (In fact, I was supposed to pass through the Parsons Green station that day on my way to Richmond but had to cancel since that portion of the District Line was closed.)

You know what, I wasn't concerned. The chances of an attack happening in general, and happening where I am, is very slim. I'm more concerned visiting most major U.S cities than I am in London.

As Emma said, the perpetrators of last summer's acid attacks were arrested and are on their way to prison.

The best advice I can give you in regard to safety is....."Mind the Gap."

This hasn't been discussed so i thought i would bring it up. Is there
any place or Neighborhood in London you would't go with your wife?

Does your wife have any input on where she travels or do you control the itinerary?

Does your wife have any input on where she travels or do you control the itinerary?

We have Similar interests.

I was just in London last May and felt completely safe- both on the streets, the tube, buses, ect- we also walked everywhere thru St. James Park, Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, and never felt unsafe - its always good to be aware of your surroundings no matter what country your in but London and England was one of THEE best trips I ever took! 😀

The one danger I worry about is the traffic.. Now, I'm used to crossing very busy traffic in Chicago, but I always remind myself that traffic comes from the other direction, especially early in the morning when I'm wanting a coffee or else at night after a couple of pints of good ale. I can't imagine any place that you or your wife would end up that would be even remotely dangerous. You'd have to seriously wander off the tourist path and you're still far more likely to end up with a bunch of office workers than run into true danger even if you way miss your tube stop.

We were in London when when the bombing at Parsons Green happened last year, didn’t stop us from using the tube.

One more vote for being careful with the traffic coming the "wrong" way. There were a couple of times during my family's visit to London when I was a kid that I came pretty close to getting hit by a car due to this.