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?

it seriously brings me to the edge of despair that people aren’t just looking at the official threat levels and recommendations from authorities. What makes you think that you have a better idea of threat levels than the Met Police and M15? If worried, just avoid protests. Rest of London is now no less at risk than it was before the outbreak of war in Gaza.

Sorry, i fear you have shown your hand. You have endlessly when reassured about the safety of london said that your concerns are not political/linked to the horrors of the palestine israel situation with horrors on both sides (but you mention only one) but are about your noise and crowd sensitive children.
Chinese new year is very crowded and very noisy.
I suggest you stay out of london for the forseeable, enjoy your peace wherever that might be with your children and family, and leave london to it.
Solution for all. Peace.

@FordAnglia

I haven’t shown any hand.

A huge and repeated protest where people are understandably angry, shouting continuously, beeping horns etc going through large stretches is a completely different level of risk.

Chinese new year is one parade, one day and a set of organised activities in specific areas. And there isn’t an associated risk of terrorism.

We wouldn’t book to come then, or if we did might avoid the parade.

I understand in this instance the vast majority of protesters will be peaceful and people are just living their lives.

I have taken everything on board regarding assurances and would like to see how things are over the next few days.

Trying to catch me out for some hidden agenda of your own makes no sense.

But Chinese New Year will still be all the things you say your children dislike won’t it?

It’s dissociation and it’s somewhat normal. “If I think Londoners are used to it and don’t notice anymore I don’t have to worry or have empathy.”

I live in a part of London where bodies are regularly found and unfortunately we all dissociate in a way- try not to think about it too much or worry- because what can we do?

@Tiredalwaystired

As I said before

We wouldn’t book to come then, or if we did might avoid the parade.

A defined celebratory parade on one day.

Is a different beast to multiple protests in multiple areas on multiple days by angry people, some of whom may become violent (depending on how triggered they are).

Dunno. Lived here all my life and yes it's frightening living in the heart of terrorist attacks.

It's obviously not dangerous like Israel or Gaza, but it's always in the back of my mind and family and neighbours have always felt the same.

We generally avoid the tube unless we have to use it, we avoid local tourist hotspots (tricky as we live in them) and attractions in the run up to Christmas as that's often a terrorist alert period, and it's definitely a factor in our choice of schools. I love my area and all I know is here, but I would move out if had ever been in a position to.

It's been a backdrop to our lives, the eerie shockwave sensation you get when a bomb goes off (Canary Wharf and Hammersmith Bridge I'll never forget), the bomb drills at school, the crowds evacuating tube stations, police herding us down side streets on the way home from school, people killed by a bomb in one of our local pubs, a bomb defused outside my school, two bombs down the road from my home, neighbours diagnosed with ptsd after taking blankets and food to help the wounded...

All these memories are brought back by the news but of course we're far safer here. I think the risk to visitors is so tiny as to be negligible, though, it's more the effect of growing up with bombs and bomb scares and having to be around potential target areas daily that has a psychological effect and takes its toll.

I heard helicopters and some shouting yesterday from protests, which is common where I live, but you can be in the centre of London and avoid the areas where protests are going on. They're not usually in tourist areas like Covent Garden and Greenwich is nice and further away. :)

@Fogwisp

Your post completely explains my feelings, particularly

it's more the effect of growing up with bombs and bomb scares and having to be around potential target areas daily that has a psychological effect and takes its toll

I think growing up in this scenario and then facing it a few times while travelling has made me perhaps overly cautious, compacted by worrying about the kids reactions in such a scenario.

Thank you for explaining so well and sharing your experience.

I've taken my autistic child to London every year since he was a baby (he's an adult now) Because there's so much to see and do and he loves a good show, the National history museum and Shrek world. It is possible to do with some planning. We tend to get ubers from one place to the next and avoid walking in big crowds. I don't think it's helpful to suggest that autistic people should avoid the capital at anytime.

I didn't suggest anything of the kind. I made a kind observation.

Is the OP a Jew or a Muslim?

I don't live in London but visit often. I always feel safe in London and wouldn't give this a second thought

@Fionaville Same!! Mine are obsessed with shows, natural history, museums. Are there any shows you would recommend?

I think we’ve definitely learnt to avoid the tube via this thread, in our circumstances.

This is our first “big” city trip so it’s both exciting and daunting, I know how much it will mean to them though.

@Wonkasworld

I cannot understand why you would entertain London with an autistic child.

Because disabled children are just like any other children - they are fun loving and enjoy things like museums, shows etc… I mean HP and Lego are also within striking distance - what is on offer is autistic heaven.

Anywhere worth its salt is autism accessible now.

Sensory issues occur when brushing teeth and showering… we don’t stop doing that.

My major concern is the sensory seeking one running off into a protest crowd thinking it’s a party and the other having a total meltdown and ending up trampled over. Or that there is some sort of fight etc and we are caught up in the fray.

@Wonkasworld caving in and bubble comments weren’t directed at me as far as I remember.

Mine love Wicked! We've seen it 4 times ha Matilda and The Lion King are firm favourites. Hamilton is the newest favourite.

@Fionaville

Oh great! That’s what we were thinking of! Fab! 🧙

I wouldn’t go, why risk it? Trust your gut @StayorgoLDN

I think Palestinians have rather more on their mind at the moment, including finding water and food, and avoiding being shot, than being a terrorist threat on your trip to London...

@marcusian

In the next week or so an all out war may develop across the middle east. Which will lead to more fractions and people who are minded to stage retaliatory attack and/or be disruptive at protests coming out of the woodwork.

My concern has nothing to do with Palestinian civilian people, nor peaceful protesters of any description (though enormous crowds of thousands wouldn’t work for my family).

Unsubscribe 😑

To make it abundantly clear - this thread is not about the political situation and absolutely horrendous events going on in Gaza/Palestine.

It’s appalling what has happened/is happening. There are threads that discuss this at length.

This is about postponing a trip/adapting it due to autistic kids/a mum who has previously been caught up in terrorist attacks and has understandable anxiety to do with that.

I wouldn’t have booked to go over the Jubilee or Coronation either due to crowds. Or during English school hols. Had thought it would be relatively calm.

The 24-hour news cycle is really getting to people, I see.

I think the main concern at the moment is the sudden drop in temperature (not political) and how heating is about to become a big conversation nationally as winter approaches.

If you're really, really concerned about the risk of an attack (they usually happen during summer) then stay in Finsbury Park, Paddington Aldgate East, Shoreditch or Whitechapel. These locales have a high Islamic presence and will further mitigate any risks.

Basics apply: don't travel during rush hour, explore parts of the city that are not hotspots and maybe actually try out some of the cultural bits that appeal to Muslims - it may be an eye-opening experience and you may meet some people that could assuage your worries.

You could also explore South-East London! Which is a vast green space that has many walks (such as the Green Chain), very multicultural but mostly suburban and uninteresting. It'll never make the news for anything international, mostly because the transport connections suck on weekends.

It's sad that people come to London and just sit in the overpriced, horrible tourist food places and never bother to explore any other parts. Take the less walked path.

Oh, your kids are autistic? Definitely recommend Green Chain walk then. Long periods of being outside walking through nature with friendly locals with dogs and pub food along the way. Much better than being overwhelmed at Heathrow, overwhelmed on the tube to your Central London Hotel, then overwhelmed every time you go outside for food.

Relocate that hotel NOW!

Specific locations:
Crystal Palace, Forest Hill, Beckenham Place Park. These places are like, peak-middle-class suburbia and have plenty of relaxing brunch spots, dog owners and children so you won't feel apologetic and might get to relax! That's the point of the holiday, right?

If you want a bit of city action, the Overground can take you to Canada Water, Shoreditch etc. Taxi straight there and back instead of tube out of Heathrow.