Safe area, central London

[Disydoll12]

I am planning on bringing my 12 yr old to London for a few nights. She wants to shop on Oxford Street, and I want to drag her around to sight see a bit!

I was looking at a hotel on Poland Street, just off Tottenham Court Road. Would this be a safe area to walk around in the day/evening or should we stay further out? Thanks 😊

All of Central London is safe.

Central London is a safe as it can be. Although I obviously I don't know what shops she is interested in but Oxford Street is rubbish these days. She might be a bit disappointed.

Hahaha

This compares poorly to London's overall crime rate, coming in 87% higher than the London rate of 87 per 1,000 residents.

London is safe generally, as long as you take some precautions.
Don't hire a pedalcab, they're shysters.
Keep your valuables out of sight. Put your mobile in your bag.
Look like you know where you're going. Don't use a map, ffs.
If you feel lost, ask a shop assistant or in a tube station.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Keep an eye on your stuff in restaurants and pubs.

Oh and Oxford Street is dire. Head to Westfield in Shepherds Bush instead. From TCR tube get the Central line, dead easy.

Oxford street is rubbish, it’s the same shops that are everywhere. It does have Liberty, but might not be trendy enough for your daughter! If you want to stay near there, I’d go the other end, towards Lancaster Gate. You can have a stroll through Hyde Park after. Some nice cosy pubs for dinner too. It’s so quick to get about so you stay anywhere. Where does your train leave from. Kings Cross or Angel have good shops too now, also lots of reasonable priced restaurants on Upper St and independent shops. There’s a hotel right by Anger Station.

oxford street is great for teenagers

just be savvy and keep your bag close etc as it is soo busy

Yes, you should be safe there. Central London is generally pretty safe.

This is because crime statistics are quoted per 100,000 population and relatively few people actually live in central London. It does however have a huge daytime population which attracts pick-pockets etc.

Central London's safe. Check where you're going on Maps before you go and how you're getting there. Don't come out of a tube station and immediately stop and check your phone.
Just be savvy on Oxford Street - lots of pickpockets. Avoid the candy shops - they're money laundering rackets.

@Nitgel Oxford Street is dull for teenagers except for the big Primark if it's fashion shopping they want.
The candy shops are borderline illegal. A 12 year old isn't going to find M+S and John Lewis or even Selfridges that interesting.
There's barely anything there you don't find in an average town mall. I mean they've got a Matalan these days 🤣
However @Disydoll12 if your 12 year is into books, collectables, sci fi etc then the area is perfect as it has Forbidden Planet (Shaftesbury Avenue), Foyles (Charing Cross Rd), Lego Store (Leicester Square).

What.shops does she want to see. That end of oxford street is tatty now. There might be more interesting places to stay.

I walk around all parts of central London on my own late at night and its perfectly safe. I do tend to agree that Oxford Street isn't that interesting though. I'd consider Westfield, Brick Lane market and Spitalfields, Camden for trendy buzzing street life, Covent Garden too. Also Coal Drop Yard at Kings Cross for food and a bit of street life.

I’d agree with all this

There's Nike on Oxford St and the big H & M on Regent Street.

What’s that other big cheap teen shop between Oxford Circus and John Lewis? Also there is a big Zara.

I only go by what I see and it's always heaving with teenagers tons of Zaras, Mango, H and M, Selfridges, and ones I 've never heard of like reserved.

As pp has said, watch your bag in cafes, shops, restaurants & pubs. Use one of the hooks under the table or keep it on your lap.

It’s the only crime I’ve ever experienced in London (in 30 years) but I’ve had my handbag stolen twice.

Urban Outfitters also popular in that area.

I'm not from London. Why is Central London safe, compared to where? Just out of interest where wouldn't be safe?? (Just so I can make sure I avoid!)

i guess it depends on what she likes as I found that coal drop yard totally souless and $$$ but you can walk there from Camden along the canal which is nice

I've lived in London 20 years and never had anything stolen/been pickpocketed, day or night.
In contrast to Barcelona, when two separate people tried to pickpocket me in my first hour of being there.
I don't get this stereotype at all.

But anyway, I agree, Oxford St is a bit sad really. Soho and Covent Garden still have some character, and good shops, and would be nice to stay in if perhaps a bit noisy at night (esp Soho).

The Zara and H&M at Oxford Circus are way bigger than any other ones and stock things you can't buy elsewhere.

Why is Central London safe, compared to where?

Because it's busy.
Loads and loads of CCTV - very off-putting for the crims and the police cruise about at night, probably on their way to and from West End Central. Pickpocketing happens in crowds which is harder for CCTV to pick up. I assume.

I agree Coal Drops Yard is dull. Nothing there for a teenager. Covent Garden might be ok but it's a while since I've been so not sure what is there.