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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I the only Londoner...

114 replies

Mustbemad123 · 14/11/2015 20:01

Who is flinching every time a firework goes off? Can't shake the feeling that London will be the next target...

OP posts:
Aliceinwonderlust · 14/11/2015 21:05

I'm a bit gobsmacked anyone would consider not coming into London because of the risk of terror attacks.

Garlick · 14/11/2015 21:09

sometimes I don't really understand how to be vigilant without emptying the building five times a day due to unattended belongings

In the IRA days, we did empty buildings and stop trains whenever anything was left lying around. People soon learned.

That's not going to stop some misguided soul wandering in with a load of explosives strapped to them, though. Perhaps priorities have changed?

alleypalley · 14/11/2015 21:09

I'm in central London, I've not heard any fireworks myself and tbh I don't think I'd be particularly jumpy if I did, but anyone who is letting them off tonight though is a bit thoughtless. My 11 yr old dd has been asking about what happened and if London could be next, I've been honest with her saying that it's always a possibility but there are lots of people working to make sure we stay safe etc. I imagine if we were hearing lots of bangs tonight she may have been quite jumpy.

I'm glad they went ahead with the Lord Mayor's parade today though, but I'm pleased they cancelled the fireworks, I think that would have been disrespectful to have gone ahead with those.

My dd was 1 when 7/7 happened and was out with a friend when the bombs when off. The worst thing then was the lack of phone coverage and not being able to get hold of her to make sure she was ok. I didn't change how I lived my life after, but I didn't like dd being out anywhere without me or dh.

wannaBe · 14/11/2015 21:10

the instant you allow these acts to change your life is the instant they have won.

Life is a risk. Every day people get into their cars, cross over roads, putting theirs and their children's lives at far greater risk than a terrorist attack, and yet if someone said they weren't going to drive because they didn't want to take the risk people would tell them to have a word with themselves. In fact, there are plenty of threads on mn where people are encouraged to drive and where driving is considered a life skill, but being killed in a car crash happens to people every day.

The last terrorist attack in the UK was ten years ago, and 59 people were killed. While that was 59 too many, if you take those odds over a period of ten years and compare them with the UK population of 60 million people, the risk is so small as to be almost non existent.

We have no idea whether London will be next. We have no idea whether there will be a "next", there most likely will, but the reality is that it could happen anywhere or nowhere.

Garlick · 14/11/2015 21:12

Well said, wannaBe.

whataboutbob · 14/11/2015 21:15

Embarrassed to say this but have been thinking about how i can get to my holiday on the med next summer without flying. I have a big fear of a bomb on a plane.

Original poster
Mustbemad123 · 14/11/2015 21:21

Ok I am being melodramatic. wanted to stay home anyway and eat take away on my onesie but still. It angers me that these people are having an impact on our lives.

OP posts:
Aliceinwonderlust · 14/11/2015 21:27

But they're not having an impact? I think it's a bit drama queeny if I'm honest, there is a terror attack in Paris and there are really people sitting around trying to inject themselves into the situation? It's really strange (although I do remember loads of it after 7/7)

SplatterMustard · 14/11/2015 21:27

My DS is at a big rock concert tonight. I won't sleep until he's safely home.

wannaBe · 14/11/2015 21:28

"but still. It angers me that these people are having an impact on our lives." but they can only have an impact on your life if you let them. they won't be having an impact on mine. Why should I change my life because of some bastards who are prepared to die in the name of some cause the majority of the world don't subscribe to.

ihateminecraft · 14/11/2015 21:28

I was thinking just this today. In reality, we were at more risk yesterday than today as security has been stepped right up. I spent several days of half term in Central London with my kids and have stuff planned there for the Xmas hols too.

Original poster
Mustbemad123 · 14/11/2015 21:30

They are having an impact though. I remember 7.7 - my poor dad had to walk home. I just don't get why these idiots are doing this.

OP posts:
Onsera3 · 14/11/2015 21:33

I've definitely given it some thought today. I was just thinking about 7/7 on Thursday when I was on the Underground. I had a bad feeling and I never usually give it a second thought when I'm on public transport.

We did go out today and chose Canary Wharf to keep dry. It was actually rather busy. DH says he heard the bomb clearly from our house when that happened. I'm glad not to be working there truthfully.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 14/11/2015 21:33

Don't let them, Must.

I've already been told I don't need to commute in next week if I'm shaken. I will. Like wannabe said, we all take risks.

After 7/7, Ken Livingstone said;

"Finally, I wish to speak directly to those who came to London today to take life. I know that you personally do not fear giving up your own life in order to take others - that is why you are so dangerous. But I know that you fear that you may fail in your long-term objective to destroy our free society and I can show you why you will fail.

In the days that follow, look at our airports, look at our sea ports and look at our railway stations and, even after your cowardly attack, you will see that people from the rest of Britain, people from around the world will arrive in London to become Londoners and fulfill their dreams and achieve their potential.

They choose to come to London, as so many have come before, because they come to be free, they come to live the life they choose, they come to be able to be themselves. They flee you because you tell them how they should live. They don't want that, and nothing you do, however many of us you kill, will stop that flight to our city where freedom is strong and where people can live in harmony with one another. Whatever you do, however many you kill, you will fail."

I kept it because it spoke to me, and now I know it off by heart! Maybe it'll help you, too.

wannaBe · 14/11/2015 21:36

if London were to be targeted then yes there would be an immediate impact because the transport networks would be closed etc. on 7/7 my now xh had to stay at a friend's because he couldn't get home.

But the Paris attacks only have an impact on our lives now because people let them. We're in the UK, not in Paris, there are no disruptions, nothing has happened here. Any impact on anyone's life is through their own choices.

And tbh it's a bit crass to suggest that an attack in another city, in another country which impacted on people's lives for ever is having an impact on people's lives here. it isn't. There will only be an impact if something happens here. But until that happens life continues.

WeepingInTheBushes · 14/11/2015 21:37

I have enormous faith in the security forces tbh, I think we don't know the half of what they are scrambling on a day to day basis, and rightly so. At work in the city on Thursday there was the sound of a really low flying aircraft (I assume military) followed by the sound of a chopper. A few raised eyebrows, but I think intelligence is in full force.

Maybe I'm very trusting, but I'm not changing my plans.

Unreasonablebetty · 14/11/2015 21:50

I can sympathise with you worrying, in all honesty I cant see myself going to London for a while, cos I worry we are next.

When 7/7 happened, thankfully I narrowly missed the train that I should have been on, which was the same train and stop where the terrorists got on. It still shakes me up to this day, because I narrowly escaped what would have been death and I very much doubt I would be so lucky as to do it again.
And not only that, I remember the god awful feeling of not feeling safe where you are, or knowing if you will be safe on the way home... I'd hate to be in that situation again.

I do suffer from anxiety anyway, so it doesn't make the thoughts surrounding this any better, but we are going nowhere near London, or crowds.
And we were supposed to be going to Paris on the 7th January for a few days. I very much doubt this will happen now.

Kbear · 14/11/2015 21:58

Weeping - I heard that plane on Thursday.... it sounded like it was a foot about the rooftops! I work near Barbican.

Fireworks going off here (SE London) and one particularly loud one made me mute the tv thinking WTF was that.... but Monday I'll be back at work of course.

We must be vigilant but we must not be afraid.

Namechange1987 · 14/11/2015 21:59

I feel the same right now, keep seeing people talking about avoiding london, that's hard when you live here! But we can't let them win. This is what they want, we can't live in fear.

TheFormidableMrsC · 14/11/2015 22:00

OP, I get you totally. I grew up in North London (now living in Herts) but worked in the City for my entire life. I have literally seen it all...every single atrocity has affected me in some way. In my teens I got caught up in the Kings X fire. I have been very lucky to have narrowly avoided being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

My DD is 17 and a student. She is currently working for a beauty consultancy agency. She is in John Lewis in Oxford Street tomorrow...and is absolutely terrified about it. I have tried to reassure..told her that you just have to get on and do things regardless. I have been utterly terrified, not least on 7/7 and 9/11 when the world ground to a halt and I had to walk miles (in bare feet eventually) to make my way home yet I am telling my precious child that she HAS to get on that train and HAS to get on the tube because she just HAS to. I am praying that London isn't next, that security will be at an all time high. However, the fact is, I am telling my child that she just has to go to work. What do you do? If you didn't carry on the world would just shut down.

I just pray it isn't my child....

Pippin8 · 14/11/2015 22:02

A terrorist attack could be anywhere next, any major city. Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, the list is endless. These people will just target the place with the most people, in order to create the most impact. I'm hyper alert when out & am always looking for exits. So, so sad that they can put this fear into us.

Helmetbymidnight · 14/11/2015 22:03

I'm jumpy.

School has a trip to town next week and already on FB parents are saying the kids shouldn't go.

It's not just about bombings in Syria - foolish to believe that.

FuckingLiability · 14/11/2015 22:06

Weeping The plane noise on Thursday was a Red Arrows flypast for the Indian prime minister who's visiting London. I saw it go over.

I am not afraid and I won't be moderating my life as a result of the tragic events in Paris. There have been fireworks going off all evening outside and no, I haven't been sitting here worrying about it.

jay55 · 14/11/2015 22:08

Canary Wharf had a lot more security about today than a normal Saturday. Made me feel slightly uneasy. I wasn't worried before I got there.

Twowrongsdontmakearight · 14/11/2015 22:16

It could happen anywhere not just London. And I'm afraid I believe that if your number's up your number's up. It could be from watching Final Destination years ago!