Nevertheless, if you’re a tourist looking to head to London on holiday, or you’re an international worker heading to London on a business trip, there are a few things that you’re going to need to keep in mind in order to ensure that you remain safe. If you’re an EU citizen, then make sure you have completed an E111 renewal before you come. Here, we’ve put together a quick list of tips to help you when it comes to your trip to London.
Understand/Learn The Tube Maps
A trip to London wouldn’t be complete without a journey on the Tube line, and their convenience when it comes to navigating your way around the capital and to all of the major landmarks is second to none. The best way to ensure that you are going to remain safe while you are using the underground, is to map out your journey before you go, so you know which line you will need to get on and which station you need to come off at. If you don’t do this however, then make sure you have an understanding of the way the Tubes work, and are able to effectively read the map so you are able to get around. If you start looking lost while you’re in London, you may make yourself vulnerable by standing out as a tourist.
Remain Aware
As with any major city around the world, there can be incidents of petty crime such as pickpocketing that will generally affect tourists as opposed to locals. This is because some criminals see tourists and travellers as vulnerable targets, because they are unaware of their surroundings. Remain aware of where you are and who is around you, particularly when you’re in crowded places or on public transport like the Tube. While you will probably have nothing to worry about, it is important to ensure that you do not make yourself a target by having expensive phones, jewellery or money on display, and you keep your personal belongings close to you at all times.
Be Mindful Of Safety Warnings
Political and socio-economic tensions across Europe are exceptionally high, which means there will be a strong police presence particularly in the capital. If this is the case, then make sure that you’re keeping up to date with the news and of any safety measures that may come into place while you’re in London. While a complete shutdown of the city is exceptionally unlikely, particularly with the British ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ mentality, there may be a few things that crop up while you’re in the capital that you should be aware of. Be mindful of the police and any warnings or advice that they may give you. They are there for your own protection, so you should take heed of what they say.