To think we should avoid London right now?

[StayorgoLDN]

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?

I hadn’t thought about it to honest. However I did go to visit my Jewish friends yesterday and did notice police presence around the area. I’m Muslim and have seen a change in peoples behaviour towards me this past week, so I was a little worried when I was alone for a short while yesterday.

Yeah, just cave in, why not. In fact, don't venture outside of your bubble.

@namechange10894 Sorry people have been treating you differently and it's making you nervous when you're alone. I think as British Muslims and British Jews we have a lot more in common than many realise, especially just now.

Born in London and have lived right next to an iconic landmark all my life. Things are normal and don't feel any different. If you don't feel comfortable then don't go.

You know it's kind of shit to tell Jews and Muslims who have genuine reason to be afraid that we are 'caving in' or 'living in a bubble'.

I've spent my whole life in London travelling by public transport and on foot. I don't rely on taxis or cars, I'm not in any sort of bubble.

But I have genuine reason to believe that my kids and I are at real risk at the present moment..

Just because you feel immune from that doesn't mean we are all so lucky.

I never feel completely safe going into London (but that's because I'm a northern country bumpkin 😆) With it being the capital, there is, for me always an increased risk there, as opposed to home. I don't think the risk there is much higher than usual. Who knows what next year will bring? I'd still go now. Life is for living. Who knows what next month or next year will bring? Enjoy yourself!

@StayorgoLDN You're spending thousands of pounds to go to London?!?!? I wouldn't go for free! Definitely cancel and go elsewhere

Conversely I always feel safer in London than anywhere else. Everywhere is brightly lit and there are usually tons of people about. Same with New York.
My sister, on the other hand, has always lived in Somerset and thinks I live in Sodom and Gomorrah. Has no sense of the size of the place. When Grenfell happened she asked if we could see it from our house (we live in East London).

@PabloandGustheGreySquirrels

Unfortunately the things the kids are interested in are not available elsewhere. Think Disney level but not Disney.

Taking them to the Lake District or wherever is not going to be comparable.

How sad

Been looking across the papers this morning and read this… which is telling me my gutt is right. So, what we have now decided to do is wait until after the weekend to see how this March goes, how events unfold in Gaza and what the reaction is to that. We’ll postpone to next year if necessary.

Khaled Meshaal, a former leader of the extremist group who now acts as a messenger to Palestinians living abroad, this week called on 'all scholars who teach jihad' to join what he called 'a moment for the application' - believed to be a call to arms.
An extra 1,000 police officers were put on duty in London following Meshaal's comments - and while the UK's domestic terror alert level is unchanged it remains at 'substantial', suggesting an attack is thought to be likely.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor said a 'very significant policing operation' was in place for the weekend ahead of an expected pro-Palestine march in the capital on Saturday.

You've seen the whole of London in one trip a decade?! Wowzers, you're fast. Yes filthy and disgusting the whole 606 sq m! Lol, the narrow mindedness of your post is cute

There is no right or wrong answer, you have to do what feels right in your gut.

This is a great post and one of the few instances on MN where the term anti semitism has been correctly used.

Okeydokedeva, I was trying to reassure you about the windows which I think has been the only one so far. Where I am it happens from time to time, robberies.
I know Golders Green well, and am also in a Jewish area. And yes, I am concerned for everyone.

So is bombing a refugee camp and cutting off humanitarian access to 2 million people. Never been so ashamed of my government.

We don’t need a blow by blow of your every latest thought on the matter OP. You’re not King Charles deliberating over a diplomatic visit.

Londoners upthread have pointed out that it’s unkind for you to make everyone nervous to ease your own peace of mind. Posting that article was tactless. Bear in mind the posters who gave you kind advice are now getting updates on your thread. Jewish Londoners included. Just stay home and keep quiet about it. Nobody cares what you do.

What a silly post. You aren’t the mumsnet police.
I’m a Londoner who posted upthread and I don’t have notifications on. I don’t want to.
Just post on thread you like like everyone else.

@alrighthen this thread, as others that are now appearing, is to do with travel to London over the next few weeks during a contentious period when there is justifiable anger surrounding the situation in Israel/Palestine.

To make it very clear - being a tourist in London and being a local in London are two very different things.

When you are a tourist in London you don’t have a secure base outwith tourist areas usually. You don’t know the local area or the transport network. You have no friends or family near. You aren’t aware of local news broadcasts to the same extent as a Londoner, nor of what is going on within communities locally. You are generally in tourist locations, these places tend to be the target of attacks/protests as this is what garners the most attention.

In short Londoners do not have the same need for anxiety because they are much better equipped to deal with any disruption that occurs and have better support than a tourist who does not know the lay of the land or have any help near.

I wouldn’t have the same anxiety about a terrorist threat in my local area because I have a tonne of help and support, I know where the police stations are, routes away from issues, times that issues are liable to occur etc etc.

My issue is going to an unknown place with no support and a potential shit show about to occur.

Raising that concern and asking for opinions/advice is better than sticking my head in the sand.

And giving updates to show how it played out gives others information so they can be informed - there are already other threads from tourists appearing.

None of those things change the nature of the situation, though, which is that the chances of being involved in a violent protest or, even worse, a terrorist incident in London are vanishingly small.

>>>To make it very clear - being a tourist in London and being a local in London are two very different things.

When you are a tourist in London you don’t have a secure base outwith tourist areas usually. You don’t know the local area or the transport network. You have no friends or family near. You aren’t aware of local news broadcasts to the same extent as a Londoner, nor of what is going on within communities locally. You are generally in tourist locations, these places tend to be the target of attacks/protests as this is what garners the most attention.

In short Londoners do not have the same need for anxiety because they are much better equipped to deal with any disruption that occurs and have better support than a tourist who does not know the lay of the land or have any help near>>>

Not true in my view. The internet is your friend - available to all. Most londoners I imagine navigate round the transport system using the TFL app or similar. This is available to all. I use it. It's very good - also at showing disruptions and navigating round them. I would advise installing it. News broadcasts? You think londoners have pals/neighbours in the media who phone them with updates/advice? As above, use your phone for newsupdates. Attacks can happen anywhere, not just in tourist areas. In short, there is no real difference.

Me too re living in Finchley, but I haven’t personally seen anything apart from stepped up security - yet.

The mere criticism of Israel’s policies and its murderous and thieving government is labeled anti-Semitic. Does this 324% increase include this?

The idea that those of us who live in London are better equipped to deal with a terrorist attack is very strange. Why would we be? As for knowing all the escape routes etc I was born and bred in London and have no idea what you are talking about.

For example, during the queen’s Jubilee celebrations it was a nightmare trying to get home because all the roads were blocked off. That said, I would ordinarily avoid any areas where protests are taking place because it will be difficult to get around and in case they become too heated.

Actually it might be a good idea for you to call Transport for London and ask them what precautions we should be taking - if any - while travelling around London at this time then come back and tell the rest of us.

Agree this thread is a bit ridiculous. My employer is not going to excuse its 5000 employees from working next week because we’re too scared to go into London. We’re people too with families, and plenty kids live and go to school in central London. No one can tell you what will happen. If you don’t feel safe don’t come.