Safety On-site

London, like many European cities, is generally considered safe. Visitors will only encounter police officers carrying firearms, and instances of violent crime against visitors are rare.

However, pickpocketing does occur and tourists should remain vigilant in order to prevent it. Pickpockets, who often work in teams, are skilled at their craft and can quickly steal your phone or wallet without you even noticing. To protect yourself, it's important to watch out for pickpocketing techniques. Check out this video to learn more about 7 ways you may be vulnerable to pickpockets and how to prevent them.

• Avoid sketchy areas at night. Lewisham, Greenwich, Hounslow, Barking, Newham, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Haringey and some less central areas in Islington, Camden and Southwark are best avoided at night.
• Be careful when drinking. Be aware of your level of inebriation, and do not let yourself become heavily intoxicated to the point of being unable to keep yourself safe. Don't leave your drinks unattended. If drinking with a group, make sure you all leave together, and do not let a drunk friend go off on their own. 
• Know the common scams. This typically involve a "friendly" stranger offering you a free gift or asking for a small favor. They can be pushy, so know that it is not rude to decline. If you accept, they will either ask you to pay for it, or another person will attempt to pick your pocket while you are distracted. 
• Keep a low profile to deter pickpockets. Be especially careful around Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road, Piccadilly Circus, Soho, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, as these are tourist areas and prone to pickpockets. Don't show off expensive jewelry. Consider switching from a purse to a more secure crossbody bag. (Fanny packs are not only fashionably "in" in Europe but are also incredibly practical!) If you carry a bag or backpack, place it on your lap on public transportation. Do not carry your passport on your person unless necessary. 

Take these precautions when out:

• Leave your passport at home (make a photocopy of the front page to carry out).
• Don’t carry large sums of cash on you.
• Wear your bag and camera across your chest.
• Put your wallet and anything else of value in your front pockets.
• Keep your belongings in your lap when sitting in a cafe or at the bar/restaurant not on the floor or slung over the back of the chair.
• Be careful who you ask to take a picture with your camera (you may not see it again!).
• Use taxis to get home late at night.

Major Incidents 

In the event of a major incident happening in London, it is important to take the following steps to ensure your safety:

1. Stay away from the incident area and avoid any unnecessary travel in the immediate vicinity.
2. Find a safe location to take refuge, such a friend’s house, hotel, your university accommodation or even the US Embassy if you are in the area.
3. Notify the staff immediately and contact your family and friends to inform them of your situation.
4. If you need assistance, reach out to the CIS Abroad US Emergency Phone: +1 413 210 7091 for help. It is crucial to remain calm and follow these steps to ensure your safety and well-being during a crisis.
5. In the event of a terrorist attack, please follow this link to find out how to stay safe when you’re out and about.

Calling For Help

If you find yourself in need of assistance in London, there are several ways to call for help. In case of an immediate emergency, dial the emergency number '999' on any  phone. If you have a non-urgent medical emergency, dial '112'. If When calling for help, it's important to clearly state your location, the nature of the emergency, and any other relevant information to ensure a prompt and effective response. If you have a non-urgent medical matter that you wish to receive advice on, dial '111'. This NHS number will not give you a diagnosis, but the operator will direct you to the best place to get help for your symptoms.  

If you wish to speak to the police (non-emergency situation), you can call '101'.

If you experience sexual harassment on TFL services, please text British Transport Police on 61016 or 0800 40 50 40. For additional information on how to report sexual harassment experienced or witnessed on public transport, please visit this page.

STEP Program

The US government provides a free service known as the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to all US citizens. Enrolling in this program registers your trip with the U.S. Embassy. In the case of an emergency, this allows the Embassy to contact you with important safety information, and can help put you in touch with friends and family. 

US Embassy in London