Page 20 | To think we should avoid London right now?

StayorgoLDN · 2023-10-13T08:23:42+00:00

Due to visit London in the next few weeks. Anxious with Palestinian protests and so forth in the news. I don’t want to be near that with young children, and worried that it may escalate to some sort of attack. We are not Jews, but presuming as the U.K. is supporting Israel that we’ll all be fair game ie there might be an attack/bomb somewhere prominent to send a message to gov. Have been in London during terrorist attacks before and I’d rather avoid. AIBU to consider rescheduling our family trip to next year?

tttigress · 13/10/2023 12:48

A teacher in France has just been killed in a terror attack.

It is in the news, but you would think it would be reported more prominently.

Zebedee55 · 13/10/2023 12:48

StayorgoLDN · 13/10/2023 09:37

We arrived into London in the midst of an attack before and were almost caught up in a bomb, except we had a last min change of plan, so that’s very vivid for me.

Wanted to ask Londoners on here what their perceptions are of how things are on the ground - obviously due to experience my opinion would be biased, and the media can distort/offer narrow view.

Think we might change the accom as quite near the embassy.

I lost my house windows in 1974, due to an IRA pub bomb, in a London suburb.

But, it didn't stop me just getting on with life, and commuting into central London daily.

And, it never has since.

Life's a risk, but I certainly don't see London being any more in danger than any other city.

Quite honestly, knife crime is a bigger risk.😗

ShinyPebble32 · 13/10/2023 12:47

Okeydokedeva · 13/10/2023 09:41

Imagine being in london when you are Jewish. They are breaking windows in shops in Golders green. I want to visit an elderly relative but am afraid to come in with my child. I was born here, paid taxes here and now I feel like an outsider. Jews are 250k of population. A tiny minority. No one is talking about us as needing protection or support form the Uk government here in london

I am so sorry 💔 What can non-Jewish people do that help you feel more supported at this time?

Hont1986 · 13/10/2023 12:41

It's all happening 2500 miles away. It doesn't affect you, at all. Why are there always these threads about "thinking twice about taking my kids to London" after any world news event?

Bromptotoo · 13/10/2023 12:37

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing said:

Sorry my understanding of London Geography needs improvement - it’s only the British museum that’s anywhere near the westend.

The South Ken museums, V&A etc are a hop skip and a jump from Marble Arch and even closer to Harrods. That's pretty close to the West End in my mind.

Isitautumnyet23 · 13/10/2023 12:35

I live in probably one of the safest areas in the country so wouldn’t want to go to London (or any major capital) right now. But thats the result of the news being incredibly frightening this week and I haven’t turned it off as wanted to see the full horror of what Hamas has done.

If you’re not comfortable (and understandable from past experience), dont go and trust your gut. I think police presence and security will be extremely high in London and im sure its not going to be any more dangerous than any other day. But if your going to be on edge and not fully enjoying it, just dont go.

Tiredalwaystired · 13/10/2023 12:32

I’m in London, Jewish and living my life as normal. What good would it do otherwise. Also, London is vast and always under some level of threat. You just learn to live with it.

Original poster

StayorgoLDN · 13/10/2023 12:30

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 13/10/2023 12:01

Tate Modern often has some really cool stuff for children. Then there’s the Tower of London, which is handy for then going out towards East London. Greenwich as I mentioned has not only a massive park and the Greenwich meridian / observatory but also the Cutty Sark.

Hamleys is just a toy shop, and usually horrible crowded.

Youve basically listed all the areas that would be horrific for anyone with autism.

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

Sorry my understanding of London Geography needs improvement - it’s only the British museum that’s anywhere near the westend.

Thank you so much for the suggestions. We will avoid Hamleys.

We have autism only quiet times booked/passes to avoid queues and all that so a lot of thought has gone into it.

They like museums as quiet and fact filled!

OP posts:

Bloomingmagnolia · 13/10/2023 12:30

I live and work in C London, and for the first time in years, I am questioning the security. I saw posters of missing Israelis in S Kensington. The issue is very much present in many areas and not just areas populated by Jews.

AdoraBell · 13/10/2023 12:28

As others have said, if you feel anxious about going then don’t go.

Thepeopleversuswork · 13/10/2023 12:28

@StayorgoLDN

We have two autistics in the family. If there are loud, rowdy, uncontrolled protests in a lot of places that will cause an issue. As will last minute changes of plan, which may be necessary.

It’s costing a few grand to go, requires massive amounts of prep in terms of disability provision/having a set plan with visual schedules as to where we’re going.

Israel is about to obliterate Gaza and that’s likely to piss off Palestinians and other Arab nations… so I don’t think it’s unreasonable for me to ask the opinion of anyone who lives in London who has lived through issues in the past as to what level of risk they’re perceiving now.

I don't think its unreasonable to be apprehensive or want to be prepared. But as someone who has lived in London for most of their life I'm giving you an honest comment.

Unless you are Jewish or have a direct connection with either the Jewish or Palestinian communities or you are planning to be near a protest I don't think you are at particular risk.

Being concerned about loud, unruly and chaotic environments when you have autistic family members is also not unreasonable but tbh London is always replete with loud and chaotic environments and you don't need violence in the Middle East to create that risk.

Bloomingmagnolia · 13/10/2023 12:27

Okeydokedeva · 13/10/2023 09:41

Imagine being in london when you are Jewish. They are breaking windows in shops in Golders green. I want to visit an elderly relative but am afraid to come in with my child. I was born here, paid taxes here and now I feel like an outsider. Jews are 250k of population. A tiny minority. No one is talking about us as needing protection or support form the Uk government here in london

Which shops? Can you point to news sources? If you are referring to the restaurant, that has been debunked.

Bromptotoo · 13/10/2023 12:27

Partner off to London on Sunday for an event at Guildhall School of Music.

Engineering work is beggaring up the trains. Her car is not ULEZ compliant so driving to Stanmore means borrowing mine.

Those issues are at front of minds.

Being blown up or caught on the edge of a demo were not even on my radar until mentioned here.

BarqsHasBite · 13/10/2023 12:25

I’d be more worried about the bed bugs tbh, I thought that was going to be the subject of your thread. I’m in central London and that much more of a concern for me, but they’re probably everywhere so 🤷‍♀️

Trinity65 · 13/10/2023 12:21

StayorgoLDN · 13/10/2023 09:37

We arrived into London in the midst of an attack before and were almost caught up in a bomb, except we had a last min change of plan, so that’s very vivid for me.

Wanted to ask Londoners on here what their perceptions are of how things are on the ground - obviously due to experience my opinion would be biased, and the media can distort/offer narrow view.

Think we might change the accom as quite near the embassy.

Well that is very understandable then that you are wary of coming here.

I am a Londoner (Edge of Zone 4 now but brought up in Inner London).
I have not been up there for Years so cannot advise on how it might be in Central London now

Go with your gut in this instance OP

pizzaHeart · 13/10/2023 12:20

Rockgod · 13/10/2023 09:31

Since you’ve been in London during a terror attack, and you’re feeling like avoiding - I say listen to that gut feeling. We’ve all had different life experiences to you so it’s irrelevant what we would do.

Whatever you decide to do, let your body lead the decision.

This^ especially with your update about kids.
My DD has additional needs and it means that we plan very differently from other families. It’s so ingrained in me on every level but other people can’t just get it. We won’t deal with your kids on this trip and we won’t deal with the aftermath ( if any) so you should do what’s better for you.
I would probably go just with some replanning but my DD’s older and copes better with changes and we have 2 adults for her. However there are a lot of things we don’t do which your family probably does. So you do you and don’t think that you are wrong for this.

ChorizoDog · 13/10/2023 12:20

Everything is normal here. I mean I’m not sitting down on the tube as I don't want bed bugs, but other than that.. business as usual.

I would guess that predominantly Jewish areas might feel different, however I haven't experienced this.

Halfemptyhalfling · 13/10/2023 12:16

I'd be avoiding London at the moment due to bedbugs but it might just be people are noticing them more as they've been in the news

RB68 · 13/10/2023 12:16

London is on constant high alert to be honest re terrorism. As others have said on the ground in non flashpoint locations life goes on. DO what you think is best for your family.

Original poster

StayorgoLDN · 13/10/2023 12:14

GRex · 13/10/2023 11:37

@StayorgoLDN - staying away from protest areas is sensible with young kids who might be frightened. How old are the kids? Basing in West London would let you go to the museums (science, natural history), Westfield for Lego and other shops plus something like Kidzania, a trip to Kew Gardens / Richmond Park and a boat up the Thames to Hampton Court Palace etc. Loads to do, very far from central London protests. Or if older you could plan more in north London; Camden market and trip a on canal boat, London Zoo, Madame Tussauds, Harry Potter experience, Hampstead Heath walk with the views etc.

Thanks so much for this @GRex 7, 9.

Yes we had planned for West London away from the centre, then protests around the Embassy started..

Appreciate all the suggestions.

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CoffeeWithCheese · 13/10/2023 12:09

Planned trip to London in a week or so here - no plans to cancel, although if other people cancel it might make the Tube (the bit that I find hellish as an autistic person) slightly less awful for me. To be honest, I'd be cautious taking DD2, who is 10 and autistic, on the Tube at the best of times without careful preparation and planning because of sensory overload (this trip is just me and DH).

I'd be more concerned if I was visiting one of the areas with a large Jewish community further out - but Central London, with the inevitable police presence there? Nope I'm not worried. I'll keep an eye on the news for any planned protests but things are more likely to be messed up if transport goes on strike again in reality.

And yep, I'm more concerned at the prospect of bedbugs! Ewww and NO.

beguilingeyes · 13/10/2023 12:08

StayorgoLDN · 13/10/2023 12:02

@AmazingSnakeHead

No! Don’t be ludicrous! Why would I think Arab people would attack me for being white?!

I clearly stated that the U.K. by showing its support for Israel could be a target for retaliatory violence, likely London as it is targeted frequently.

Protests if there are any are likely to be largest in London because that is where most British Arabs live.

I have also already stated I have autistic children who become incredibly distressed by lots of noise/commotion. They are liable to become hysterical - one is a runner!

I don’t know London well, which is why I asked about the extent of disruption/protest thus far, as a means to gauge how bad it is likely to get (post retaliation by Israel) and the sort of areas to avoid.

Show quote history

There is no disruption, there really isn't. You're more likely to be disturbed by a tube/train strike than by anything else.

SupermarketMum · 13/10/2023 12:04

I thought you were going to say you were avoiding London because of bed bugs reported in the tube…

I live in London and terrorist attack didn’t even cross my mind - terrorist attacks don’t usually happen when and where you expect them. Things are carrying as normal around here. I have children and it wouldn’t cross my mind to change plans as a result.

BobbidyBibbidyBob · 13/10/2023 12:03

I work in London, i have been in Mayfair and the West End every day this week and there has been absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.

Original poster

StayorgoLDN · 13/10/2023 12:02

AmazingSnakeHead · 13/10/2023 11:00

Oh shit, I've just read your update: But London is usually up there as it’s the capital and also the place where most British Arabs live. So you are actually suggesting that British people might attack you and your children just for - being white in London?? I think probably most of London would prefer you not to visit, with attitudes like that.

Edit: or actually, maybe you are worried about protests and loud crowds. I can't figure it out. If crowds and protests: should be easy to avoid by avoiding the area it will be in, unless you are planning to go to a specific place in London, which might be a protest place.

Edited

@AmazingSnakeHead

No! Don’t be ludicrous! Why would I think Arab people would attack me for being white?!

I clearly stated that the U.K. by showing its support for Israel could be a target for retaliatory violence, likely London as it is targeted frequently.

Protests if there are any are likely to be largest in London because that is where most British Arabs live.

I have also already stated I have autistic children who become incredibly distressed by lots of noise/commotion. They are liable to become hysterical - one is a runner!

I don’t know London well, which is why I asked about the extent of disruption/protest thus far, as a means to gauge how bad it is likely to get (post retaliation by Israel) and the sort of areas to avoid.

OP posts: