Would you go on a trip to London?

[user1491934176]

Myself and the family (young primary aged kids plus hubby) have always enjoyed a trip to the UK capital. The kids asked to go again next year (we are from Northern Ireland) but being put off by current issues reported in the mainstream media , do these issues actually exist or are they exacerbated by media outlets? Is it safe? We loved our last trip in 2024, kids are buzzing to return so advice welcome!

London is not super safe, I’m sorry to say that. I live in Kent and I went to Uni in London and lived there too. That’s why I say it’s mostly safe. Threat level in the UK is currently set to substantial. I’m sorry say this and I’m not trying to fear monger either, but I’m being realistic. To say London is super duper safe is a lie.

My money's on GB news.

There’s a play on in Belfast around now that I desperately want to see. And a shop I’ve been wanting to visit there for years.

Every single time I’m close to plucking up the courage I see another headline like the one linked by @HollyhockDays, and I don’t go …

Live on the suburbs…only thing I can think of is that I would be careful having my phone out in obvious places eg Oxford street or walking around the financial district etc

I live in West Yorkshire and feel safer in London than Bradford and Leeds when I have my kids with me.

I live and work centrally, if anything it’s busier with tourists than ever- I was out on Shaftesbury Avenue last Tuesday and it was heaving!
Like pre Christmas shopping/ January Sales heaving.
Working and commuting just as usual and no sign of crime!

Nowhere is “super safe”, not even Kent. 😜

The threat level to the UK hasn’t changed since Feb 2022. And that level applies to the UK which includes both Northern Ireland and Kent and isn’t specific to London. So why the anti-London bias?

I go to London several times a year without hesitation, and thousands of people commute in daily just fine.

You just have to take precautions like in any city in any part of the world. I guess the only unique (?) problem is cyclists stealing phones, but you just don’t walk down the street with your phone in your hand or talking on it.

Yes, it's just as safe as last time you were here. The only things I'd be more careful about are not wearing an expensive watch (not an issue for me!!🤣) & not having my phone out in public (but as mine is an iPhone15, I'm probably not at too much of a risk of it being nicked)

im very upset im not well enough to do all my much loved Christmas Activities in London this year 🥲

This. Not sure what you’re referring to. DD25 lives and works there and DD21 commutes there.

Yes. Am going on a few weeks to do some Christmassy things. Not afraid at all.

You live & work centrally in London 🤢🤢

I moved out to buy, big regret in many ways 😪

I went to Chelsea last summer. It was all students, working people and few primary schools visiting Hide Park, it was paradise

I quite fancy, after living in the sticks for a few years, a month staying somewhere nice in London. I keep saying this to Fil, who despite being a Londoner, is now all into it's overun by gangs...too much DM reading...

@user1491934176 please come back & tell us what in particular you're worried about

I've booked a trip there next year for a gig, I'm not worried at all, I'm really looking forward to it.

Yes. I took my Cubs and Scouts there for a visit in July too (from Cardiff). Felt perfectly safe. I love London.

I was in London just the week before last. We had an absolute blast. Yes take precautions but the same is to be said of every major city. London is too beautiful a city to miss!

The only gangs I saw were gangs of hipsters in search of their next caffeine hit - single roast obviously.

What kind of issues?

London hasn't changed recently - of course come, millions of tourists do

You need to be aware of your surroundings but that applies to anywhere in the world.

Do not walk around with your mobile phone in your hand on the street.

You know millions of people live and work there, right?

Eh?!

I've spend much time working and living in London and Belfast and they are both as safe as any place else.

Go and enjoy it

London's the same as it always has been, what makes you think it's changed since last year?

It’s not an anti-London bias. I love London btw, but you’re naive to consider it the same as Kent or other counties - it’s the UK capital, sadly it will attract higher threat. Just being realistic with you.