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Original poster

How much danger are other UK cities in?

42 replies

AnnaInManchester · 07/07/2005 14:39

Should we ppl in other UK cities stay out of the city centre for a few days? I live in the suburbs of Manchester and have been told to stay out of the centre of Mcr because that could be as risk too.

It is so scary and I really hope everyone and all the Mumsnetters in London are ok.

OP posts:
nutcracker · 07/07/2005 14:40

Don't know really but I won't be going into Birmingham city centre for anything for a while unless I really have to.

throckenholt · 07/07/2005 14:41

I guess if has to be safer to stay away from big centres of population for a while if you have a choice.

Iklboo · 07/07/2005 14:43

Anna - where did you here to stay out of city centre M/cr? I'm bloody well IN city centre Manchester in work. Def NOT getting public transport home tonight - not bus or Metrolink tram. DH is coming in to pick me up. There are definitely more sirens here than usual - or maybe it's just me being ultra sensitive to them. I am worried though.

fastasleep · 07/07/2005 14:43

I'm in Liverpool, not exactly going running into town to do a spot of shopping today, but I'm not really concerned...will be out and about as usual tomorrow, statistically the chances of being injured or killed in a terrorist attack anywhere are absolutely tiny... you're probably more likely to be killed my a trouser malfunction or a hole spontaniously appearing in the pavement!

Iklboo · 07/07/2005 14:45

Who was it who said "There are lies, damn lies and statistics"?
Thanks fastasleep for putting it into perspective for us - you are the (nice) slap round the hysterical face that we need today.

That's a compliment by the way. I know it doesn't sound like one..but it is.

fastasleep · 07/07/2005 14:46

lol thanks... just beware of your trousers and watch the pavement!

tatt · 07/07/2005 14:46

Don't give in to terroists. After the IRA bombing campaigns Londoners took a pride in going about their business. You have more chance of being run over by a car in the road outside - or being hurt in your home.

Must admit I was a bit nervous about going back to the Ideal Home Exhibition after the IRA planted a bomb the day I went but I refused to let them win.

throckenholt · 07/07/2005 14:48

I agree - not to let them win by changing my lifestyle - but personally I would stear clear of major city centres for a day or two until things calm down a bit. Even if nothing more happens there are likely to be bomb scares and hold ups because people are more jittery.

Original poster
AnnaInManchester · 07/07/2005 14:52

A friend just told me Ikl because I usually go in to the city centre for one reason or another every single day. I definately would stay off the trams and buses tonight too. Manchester can be a scary place at the best of times. It just reminded me of that bomb back in 1997 I think it was? Wiped out most of the Arndale centre?

OP posts:
Iklboo · 07/07/2005 14:56

Yes - they're still working on rebuilding that now.

GeorginaA · 07/07/2005 14:56

Am supposed to be going to London for a long weekend this weekend and am in a bit of a dilemma.

The kids would be at their grandparents in Enfield for the duration.

I'm in two minds. Part of me thinks it's a bit crass going on a "jolly" while London is clearing up the mess and recovering. Part of me wants business to go on as usual otherwise terrorists have "won".

Dh says he lived in London for years during IRA attacks and ethos was always business as usual so we should go.

I'm actually quite freaked about going on the underground so soon after - although wouldn't have the same probs with a bus (the whole "above ground" thing is easier to deal with and less primal fear I think).

Don't know what to do.

fastasleep · 07/07/2005 14:58

Well two pros would be that you should feel happy that you're sending the 'you haven't won' message, and also that there probably isn't a safer time to be travelling around London!

dinosaur · 07/07/2005 14:58

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

expatinscotland · 07/07/2005 14:59

It's an objective thing, IMO. Am I going to avoid living my life the way I want to out of fear? I don't think so! Yes, I have a family to support, yes I am pregnant, but I've never, ever let fear dictate how I live so I'm not going to start now.

I remember once, visiting Israel/Palestine, passnig a nightclub that had been bombed the night before - several people killed. It was open the next day, and young people queued up to go inside, with a sign saying, 'You will not stop us from dancing.'

That about sums it up.

mummyhill · 07/07/2005 15:05

Was going to go into Birmingham City Centre to collect my crib from mamas and papas this afternoon but DH called to say he would rather i did not go today, he will go with me at the weekend when everything has calmed down a bit. He is worried that B'ham might be at threat as it is the second city. If it wasn't for the fact that I don't enjo dragging a three year old round town on my own especially as i only have 8 weeks left till number two arrives I would say sod it and go anyway, business as usual and all that.

tiredemma · 07/07/2005 15:07

Birmingham is chaotic, every bus/taxi/van etc trying to get into the "central area" is being stopped and searched by police.
there are also police everywhere all over town and i can hear sirens going off every now and then.

expatinscotland · 07/07/2005 15:08

There are still a lot of police up here in Edinburgh, but I took a bus to see hte midwife this afternoon and got thru no bother. I work in city centre.

SoupDragon · 07/07/2005 15:20

There were scares in Croydon today apparently - the Home Office/immigration building (Lunar House) from what I hear. Don't know if it was just a scare or not.

mummyhill · 07/07/2005 15:25

Glad i have stayed away if it is that chaotic DD would of found it exciting but i think it would just of freaked me out with how hormonal i am at the moment.

GeorginaA · 07/07/2005 15:27

They got the sniffer dogs up the Nestle building yet, Soupy? After 9/11 there seemed to be LOADS of police dog vans parked outside every high rise in Croydon.

Tortington · 07/07/2005 15:27

i heard brighton station was closed.

was due to go to london tomorrow - was there monday for a meeting. am really shocked. my immediate co workers are ok thats a good thing.

Original poster
AnnaInManchester · 07/07/2005 15:57

How come brighton is under alert?

OP posts:
tamum · 07/07/2005 16:02

There was a bomb scare in Edinburgh earlier today, but that will be happening on loads of places I would imagine, because there will be heightened awareness of lone packages and bags. I would have thought business as usual was the only sensible response outside London.

potty1 · 07/07/2005 16:08

I arrived at Birmingahm New Street just after rush hour - we heard over the tannoy about the explosions but the chap said electrical fault not bombs. Knew that wasn't the case though as when we got off the train, the station and the city centre was pretty much awash with police.

Just got home after cutting short the meeting - loads of delays and cancellations as a knock on effect from London. Glad to live in a nondescript North Mids town TBH . A neighbour has just told me that there has been a scare in Birmingahm since I left - not sure how true that is?

Thinking of those with families and friends caught up in it in London.

Iklboo · 07/07/2005 16:23

Just looked on BBC Machester website. Says the major cities in the North West are on heightened alert, especially on transport, but there is no intelligence to suggest that they are targets.

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