Is London Safe For Tourists In 2024? What You Need To Know Before Visiting
Is London safe? When compared with other major cities, London is very safe.
In fact, London is consistently in the top 10 safest cities to travel worldwide.
But many tourists are concerned about London safety, mostly because they’ve never been here before and don’t know what to expect.
How safe is London, really? What do you need to be careful of as a tourist? What should you look out for?
As a woman who lives in London, I’ll tell you exactly how to stay safe in London using common sense precautions.
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Is London Safe?
London is a very safe city overall. It’s consistently ranked in the top safest cities by Berkshire Hathaway.
But what does that really mean for tourists?
It means that London is safer than many, many cities worldwide, but just as in any large city, you need to take sensible precautions.
How Safe is London?
London is currently ranked the #8 of the safest cities in the world.
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- London ⭐️
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- Venice, Italy
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London is the capital of the United Kingdom, which is ranked the #6th safest country in the world.
- Canada
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- United Kingdom ⭐️
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- Brazil
Why You Should Feel Safe in London
London is safe for lots of reasons, but here are some that you might not know about.
As a tourist coming to visit London, rest assured you’ll be safe in this city for the following reasons.
1. London Has Three Police Forces
London has a robust police force that takes safety in the capital very seriously. Not only that, London actually has three separate police forces that together patrol every square inch of the city.
The Metropolitan Police take care of the London metropolitan area – 32 boroughs in all. “The Met” currently employs over 34,000 officers and 10,000 support staff.
Police are always present in crowded areas, especially in more touristy parts of the city.
The City of London Police is the second police force in London. They patrol the “square mile” of the City of London – London’s ancient centre and financial headquarters.
The third police force is the British Transport Police, who specifically patrol buses and the Underground network. You will often see these officers at crowded stations, ensuring the safety of all passengers.
2. Every Inch of London is Covered by CCTV Cameras
London is surveilled by almost a million CCTV cameras. Chances are that no matter where you go, you’re on camera.
Yes, it’s a little dystopian if you don’t live in a place where this is the norm. But in London, if a crime occurs, it’s usually been caught on camera.
Personally, I don’t mind being surveilled because it makes me feel safer as a woman in London.
3. Public Transport is on CCTV AND Has Its Own Police Force
Travellers coming from other cities might not be used to public transport, and wonder if it’s safe.
The answer is a resounding yes: London’s public transport network is one of the safest in the world.
The London Underground, bus, and train network is patrolled by its own robust police force.
There are also cameras covering most of the network, including on the top and lower levels of all London buses and on all tube carriages.
The Most Common Crime in London
Compared to other major cities worldwide, London’s crime rate is very low.
However, there is one common crime that targets tourists and locals alike: phone theft.
There are over 61,000 phone thefts reported to the Metropolitan Police every year.
In a city of almost 9 million people, with 7.8 million tourists, that’s not particularly high. But not every phone theft is reported, so the number is likely much higher.
How to Protect Your Phone from Theft
Keeping your phone safe is easy if you use sensible precautions.
Most people will not have their phone stolen in London, but as a traveller it’s vital you keep it tucked away. Losing your phone while travelling could become really complicated.
Use these common sense precautions:
1. Don’t stare at your phone, especially on street corners. Bicyclists and motorcyclists can easily grab it from your hand and whizz away.
2. If you need to look at directions, pull over and face a wall or a barrier. Keep your phone in both hands.
3. Keep your phone zipped up in your purse or tucked out of sight in your front pocket when you’re not using it.
4. Never set your phone down on a table at a restaurant or pub.
5. Consider investing in a phone tether for travelling. That way your phone is easily accessible, yet tethered to your body.
6. Be careful when taking photos. This is a prime time when you’re distracted. This is when having a phone tether around your wrist or neck is really good sense.
Areas with the Most Theft
If you’re going to have your phone taken, it will most likely happen in very touristy and crowded areas where thieves can slip away undetected.
The London neighbourhoods with the most reported thefts are:
1. Westminster: 36,754 Thefts in 2023
Westminster is the home of Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and many more tourist attractions.
It’s a prime tourist area where so many London visitors flock to take photos. Be extra vigilant with your phone in this borough.
2. Camden: 9,914 Thefts in 2023
Camden is part residential area, part tourist destination.
The main attraction here is Camden Market, which can get quite packed and is prime territory for thieves amongst all the colourful distractions.
3. Southwark: 7,864 Thefts Reported in 2023
Southwark is where you’ll go if you visit Borough Market.
I always advise tourists not to visit Borough Market on weekends as it gets shoulder-to-shoulder packed, and it’s very easy for pickpockets to slip by undetected.
Is London Safe at Night?
London is a very safe city to walk around in at night.
If you’re walking Central London at night, most of the areas you will go have lots of people, lots of light, and everything is patrolled by police and CCTV cameras.
7.8 million tourists visit us every year, and very, very few of them will ever be subjected to violent crime.
However, just as in any major city, it’s important to take sensible precautions.
While walking around London at night:
- Stay on well-lit streets
- Don’t use headphones or stare at your phone
- Keep your valuables tucked away
- Know where you’re going
- Use black cabs if you need a lift – don’t ever get into an unmarked taxi, even if someone offers you a cheap fare.
Is London Safe for Women?
If you’re a female solo traveller, or having a girls weekend in London, you don’t need to worry about much. But I totally understand the worry.
Because we are women who simply exist in the world. everything can be more dangerous and scary for us.
I advise all female travellers in London to take sensible precautions just as you would do in any other major city.
To find out where to stay as a woman traveling to London, see my complete London neighborhood guide to find the perfect spot for you.
1. Know Your Emergency Numbers
999 is the UK emergency number.
If you’re on any of London’s transport networks and run into trouble, grab a member of staff or text British Transport Police at 61016.
Program this number into your phone in case you need it. It’s unlikely that you will, but it’s better to be prepared.
2. Be careful with cocktails.
Just as in any other place, cocktails and other alcoholic beverages can be drugged. Watch the bartender pour your drink and take it from them directly.
Never drink anything that someone else has brought to you.
3. Stay in Populated and Lit Areas
This is common sense for any city. Stay where the action is. Don’t go wandering off to the dark corners and alleys.
4. Choose a Black Cab
In London I always prefer black cabs to Uber and other rideshares.
The drivers are thoroughly vetted and tested. They know London backwards and forwards, and have safety protocols they must follow.
Rideshare drivers don’t know the streets as well, and could end up taking you on a circuitous route that can be worrying.
I’ve had Uber drivers take me miles out of the way because that’s what Google Maps told them to do. If you know the direction you’re heading in, this can be alarming.
There are several London apps you can use to get a black cab if you prefer an app to hailing one on the street.
5. Buddy Up
It’s not always possible, but if you can, stay with a friend. Two pairs of eyes are always better than one, just to be extra cautious.
Where Should I Not Go in London as a Woman?
As a woman who lives in London, most of the areas I would not go at night are not within Central London. Everywhere in Central London is perfectly safe to visit for women traveling solo or in a group.
I often go – solo and with my family – to all Central London areas at night and have never had a problem.
The worst thing that’s ever happened to me was phone theft (yes, even the most careful Londoners can have their phone snatched!).
If you want to know the areas not to visit, see my complete post on the safest and most dangerous areas of London here.
Keep in mind that most of the sketchy areas of London are not places you’d visit as a tourist anyway – they’re far on the outskirts and you’d have to make a concerted effort to get there.
Legal Safety Devices in the UK
As firearms are mostly illegal in the UK, so are many other “safety” devices.
If you want to carry a safety device while visiting London, your best bet is a rape alarm. These are totally legal and make an ear-piercing screech when pressed. You’ll call attention to yourself from everyone with ears.
Pepper spray is illegal in the UK, but spray dyes are not. These can not only temporarily blind your attacker, but they mark them with a semi-permanent coloured dye for easy identification.
Knives are tricky business in the UK – many are illegal and you can get prosecuted for carrying them. Check the dimensions and legality of your safety knife before you travel.
Personally, I don’t carry a personal safety device in London because I’ve never felt unsafe.
Is London Safe for BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ Travelers?
London is a dynamically diverse city with residents and tourists from all over the world. You’ll hear languages from all over the world walking down any London street, and meet people of all nationalities here.
Racism and homophobia exist everywhere, but it’s no worse in London than anywhere else. Hate crimes are relatively rare in London.
London has a huge LGBTQIA+ population and the city is perfectly safe for queer travelers. My queer and non-binary friends say they feel generally safe in all parts of London, but because I am a straight white woman, I cannot speak for how minorities feel here.
Use common sense just as you would anywhere else as a BIPOC or queer traveler, and you’ll have an enjoyable trip in our global city.
Common Tourist Scams in London
Just like any other major city. London has its fair share of tourist scams. Be on the lookout for:
1. Tuk Tuk Bikes
This is the most well-known scam in London to locals, but many tourists are oblivious.
You’ll see brightly coloured pedicabs decorated with fairy lights and blaring music outside many West End venues.
These scammers are well known for luring you in with one price, then as soon as they drop you off, insist on 5x the fare. They can get quite aggressive if you refuse.
Just avoid them. If you need a lift, hail a reputable black cab.
2. Street Games
You may see street gambling or guessing games, especially on busy Westminster Bridge and in other tourist-heavy areas.
These guys are just straight up scammers. Don’t look, don’t play. Just walk right by and avoid them.
3. The Clear Cup Scam
People will often sit on the pavement with a clear cup containing a few coins set in front of them, asking for money.
They use a clear cup so it’s less likely you’ll see it and knock it over. They’ll then kick up a huge fuss, saying their money was lost and you have to repay them.
This is a common scam in Europe. If you do knock it over accidentally, just politely move along.
4. Newspaper or Charity Donation Distraction
You’re sitting outside on a beautiful restaurant patio in London. A “charity worker” or “tourist” suddenly approaches with a large clipboard, map, or paper and puts it on your table or waves it in front of your face.
They’ve just distracted you, and will snatch your valuables before you’re any wiser.
Never keep your phone on the table, and don’t put your handbag on the back of your chair when sitting outside.
This doesn’t just happen in London, it happens all over, and it’s the oldest thief trick in the book. Just be aware of it and you’ll be fine.
If they do approach you, stand up and call attention to yourself. They’ll quickly leave.
5. Motorcyclists and Bicyclists on the Pavement
If you’re walking on the sidewalk and a bicyclist or motorcyclist mounts the pavement, they’re coming for your phone or purse.
Turn around so they can’t reach you, or pop behind a barrier.
Sometimes you’ll see bicyclists or motorcyclists milling about, turning circles in the street. They’re waiting for an oblivious tourist with their head buried in their phone.
Especially if there is a driver and a passenger on the bike, they are definitely thieves (one drives and one snatches). I’ve seen this happen way too many times.
Remain aware of your surroundings and you’ll be fine.
Other London Safety Measures
Here are some other common-sense measures to take when travelling in London and abroad.
1. Keep your passports locked up
Don’t carry your passport in your purse. If you’re staying in a hotel, keep it in the safe. If you’re in an Airbnb, hide it somewhere (but remember where you stashed it).
2. Keep copies of your passport in your email and luggage
Always keep scanned copies of your passport and other travel documents in your email (so you can access them even if your device is stolen), and paper copies in your luggage.
3. Turn on Stolen Device Protection
If you have an iPhone, Apple just rolled out a new safety feature called “Stolen Device Protection.” It offers you a second layer of protection if your device is stolen.
4. Don’t Carry All Your Money in One Place
If you regularly travel with multiple credit or debit cards, leave some in different places (i.e. leave one in your hotel safe or one stashed away, and carry the other one for use).
That way, if your wallet or phone (or both) are stolen, you won’t be stuck without any way to access money.
If it makes you feel safer, keep some emergency pounds stashed away just in case.
5. Consider Travel Insurance
My family just learned this the hard way. Our passports were stolen whilst travelling abroad, and it cost us thousands of pounds to get emergency passports, extend our hotel stay, and buy another flight home to London.
Had we been covered by travel insurance, we would have been better protected in such an emergency.
Shop around and find the best travel protection for you.
Is London Safe Now?
With the various protests, demonstrations and national security issues in our world today, you may wonder if London is safe to visit today in 2024.
Protests in London are no different than in other major city. They very, very rarely get violent, and are heavily monitored by police.
Protests may block off small parts of the city, but they will hardly ever disrupt your visit.
London is massive and even if there is a protest on one block, it hardly ever disrupts travelers. Transport usually runs as normal, and unless you’re going to the specific street the protest is on, you don’t even notice its happening.
How Safe is London, Really? Final Thoughts
Being from America, I feel much safer in London than I do travelling in most other parts of the world.
If you’re coming to visit us here in the UK, take common sense precautions – just as you would anywhere else – but don’t worry too much about safety here. London is overall a very, very safe city.
I think many people are intimidated by the sheer size and complexity of London, and are therefore worried about what the day-to-day will bring.
Rest assured, you’re much safer in London than you are in other major cities.
Keep an eye on your phone, use common sense, and enjoy your London travels!
More on Visiting London
Common London Tourist Mistakes to Avoid
Safest Areas Of London: Here’s What the Data Says
Best Oyster Card Tourist Options To Save Money
Easy And Free Things To Do In London For Families
