The Essential Guide to Staying Safe in London
Categories: Important Updates, London Living
STAYING SAFE IN 5 SIMPLE STEPS
Like in any big city around the world, safety is the most important consideration when planning your stay in London. Regardless of whether you’re visiting friends, travelling to and from your student accommodation or heading on to university, it’s essential to take some precautions so you can enjoy your time and stay safe whilst doing so.
Check out our top tips below or our FAQ's if you’re interested to know more about safety and security at our campuses.
STAY ALERT, STAY VIGILANT
As with all travel, it is important to always keep your personal belongings with you at all times. Never leave your items unattended, especially drinks in bars and restaurants. Report any, and all, suspicious activity on transport including unattended bags and belongings. Check in with your friends and encourage them to check that you have gotten home safely too. Having a buddy system will help to ensure your safety not just in London, but wherever you travel.
limit the risks
With any city in the world, there is a risk of being pickpocketed or having personal items being stolen. You can help to avoid this by keeping valuables out of sight and reach, and making sure you zip up all pockets in busy areas, such as on the tube and at outdoor markets. It also helps to be aware of suspicious activity from other passengers; follow your gut feeling. When using a cashpoint, don't let your belongings out of your sight, check that the ATM hasn’t been tampered with, that someone isn’t looking over your shoulder and always cover your pin number.
MAKE PLANS
Planning your route before you leave the house, travelling with friends and saving emergency contact details into your phone are just some of the ways you can prepare yourself to safely travel in and around London. If you’re travelling alone, which should be kept to a minimum, let a friend or family member know your plans and where you’re travelling to. Work on your timekeeping - rushing around will only add stress to your journey and your guard will drop. We recommend using the Citymapper app to plan your routes around London. It gives you handy time estimates for each type of journey (walking, cycling, bus, tube and rail) and alerts you of any delays on public transport that might interrupt your travels.
AVOID THE DARK
Always avoid walking along dark and quiet streets where possible. Stick to busy areas with other people. Ensuring you remain in well-lit areas with lots of people around will not only lower any risk to your safety but it will also allow you to feel more confident and safe.
TRAVEL IN GROUPS
Other than lower transport fares, travelling with friends or family can also minimise any risks when travelling in London. If you can’t avoid travellling alone then it’s essential you let someone know where you are and what time you’re expected to return home. You can also install a ‘Find My Phone’ app to let your friends and family see where you are in real time.
Share this post!
Explore our blog
Select from below to filter by category.
Stay Informed
Subscribe now and get our monthly enewsletter with all our latest tips and guides.