Is London safe?

[Aaron1]

Hi,
Wonder if people who live/know london could advise please about safety/is it worth it.

On Friday I am travelling to London for the weekend and I am staying at Greenwich Travelodge which is actually in Deptford! On Friday night I plan to meet a few london friends I have in central london (Leicester Square area)

obviously I'll have a few drinks but stipl plan to be in a reasonable state of mind, Of course I will have to travel back from Leicester Square to my accommodation late on Friday night, I have already pre planned my journey back and plan to go on underground to London Bridge from Leicester Square changing at Waterloo, then Thameslink train for the very short journey to Deptford from London Bridge, I am aware the DLR Station at Deptford is closer to my accommodation but I would feel much safer on a train than DLR.

How safe would I be doing this journey alone? I'm not familiar with London so already that puts me at risk, I will be travelling alone, a 26 year old lanky male, no body weight at all so can't really fight back well but I do have a fairly quick turn of pace if I need to run for my life, I am not worried at all about drinking in central london as on Friday night it will be packed, I won't be exposed, but will the area between Deptford railway station and Greenwich Travelodge down Blackheath road be busy at that time, is it a safe area? Will I be exposed? Is it even worth going out, I want to have fun and meet a few friends but I value my life and safety more than that.

Sorry for rambling but I guess I just seeking for reassurance from somebody who knows the area more than me if possible!

 

[James H]

I wouldn't have thought you need have any more concern in Deptford than in Grimsby

 

[rg177]

I can't say that I've ever had any issues in London, as a 23 year old similarly built male! And this includes various suburbs late at night.

In most instances just keeping your head down and walking with a sense of "purpose" - ie not looking lost will keep you out of bother. And I've been travelling alone in London (as a Geordie, so not from the area) since I was 16.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Central London and the Tube are very safe. Much safer than most other world cities of its kind. Outside of the centre at night it is probably prudent not to walk down the road with your head in your phone and expensive wireless earbuds in, but other than that you'll be fine.

 

[Aaron1]

Thanks for the advice all, is the DLR safe at night? Deptford Bridge DLR Station is literally 1 min walk from my accommodation!, I know they are unstaffed but surely again they would be quite busy at that time, even somewhere like Deptford Bridge?

 

[duncanp]

You really would be much better off travelling to Deptford Bridge on the DLR, as it is so much closer to your hotel.

There would be more risk for you walking from Deptford station late at night than travelling one stop on the DLR from Greenwich to Deptford Bridge.

If travelling from the Leicester Square area, you would in fact be better off taking the tube or walking to Charing Cross, from where you can get the train to Greenwich or Lewisham, for connections to the DLR to Deptford Bridge

The DLR is as safe as any public transport can be, and there is always a member of staff present, which is not the case for South Eastern trains.

 

[gg1]

I've stayed at the Greenwich Premier Inn a few times which is actually located in Deptford, a few minutes walk from Deptford Bridge DLR station. I've never felt unsafe in the area, either walking from the hotel to Deptford Bridge station, from the hotel to Greenwich itself, or travelling on the DLR.

 

[Trackman]

Thanks for the advice all, is the DLR safe at night? Deptford Bridge DLR Station is literally 1 min walk from my accommodation!, I know they are unstaffed but surely again they would be quite busy at that time, even somewhere like Deptford Bridge?

DLR is safe and they have help points. If you got off the DLR and there was trouble the PSA (guard/driver) would not leave you in the learch.
I know this area of London and it's safe - if you want trouble it will find you.
To reassure you if things went really bad, the response time of emergency services is incredible unlike in parts of the UK.
Also you'll find when you leave the DLR station there will be other people with you, it's not like a sort of a remote DLR station Elverson road which is the next stop and TBH I wouldn't be worried getting on/off there.

 

[3rd rail land]

I've lived in London my whole life and I can tell that in general you will absolutely fine if you are sensible.
I have never been to Deptford myself but I have been out late at night after a few drinks several times before and never felt unsafe at all.
As others have said you'll be fine heading back to your hotel late at night, even after a few drinks. Just make sure you have your wallet tucked away in a buttoned or zipped pocket and also keep your phone out of sight when walking along the street and you'll be absouteky fine.

 

[Ken X]

As someone who was born and bred in London I would have no worries about your journey. Have had more than a few boozy nights out in the smoke. As has been said, use common sense and keep valuables hidden. The DLR is fine. I am sure you would advise not wandering around Grimsby checking your Rolex and waving your diamond coated IPhone X around and London is much the same. Blend in with the average Joe and enjoy your stay.

 

[Mojo]

Probably more likely to get trouble in Grimsby off random people.

 

[GS250]

The thing is, it's just a question of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I got semi done over by 3 blokes at the end of my own road. This in a reasonably leafy residential street. I'm no fighting machine but am 6'4, 17st and have played rugby, worked out a bit and know what it's like to be hit hard but be able to get back onto my feet. They just fancied doing someone in and I happened to be there.

I must admit I've never really felt threatened in London. Theres usually plenty of people about. Even if people don't always want to step in to help, having a phone camera can often act as a deterrent to street crime.

Wouldn't worry at all and enjoy your time here.

 

[AlterEgo]

Grimsby has a much higher crime rate than the borough of Greenwich. You will not have a problem.

 

[Sm5]

Ive seen more stuff kick off in London, than many global cities.

Personally I feel safer in South Africa than London, but thats because everyone hangs in their own areas, and the safe routes are well understood. In London, everyone is mixed with everyone, rich/poor, sane & crazy, its a lottery what your going to run into.

But on a British scale, its not as bad as Manchester, Cardiff amongst others, which imo are much worse.

if you feel safe in Grimsby, you‘ll feel safe in in London.

leave out the valuables, hide your phone and dont wear headphones so you have awareness about you. Make sure you know your route, you’ll be fine…
Just dont get focussed on fear around you, theres lots of places to have fun and Londoners stay out late, so you wont be alone….

Since covid many last services are departing earlier, I cannot do last orders in London anymore as my area of Zone 5 station shuts at midnight. Many Londoners dont drink in central London any more because of it, and stay local...central london is still busy, but they arnt always travelling out of Zone1/2… So Dont forget theres always a taxi / uber if the last train is going, and the night is too good to leave early.

 

[DustyBin]

I’m from the North East but visit London quite a bit, and I can only reiterate what the others have said. I spend most of my time there in the south east suburbs including some “un-gentrified” areas, but I’ve never had a problem.

 

[Hadders]

I wouldn't over think it. Enjoy your night out.

The DLR is safe, there's a train captain on board at all times in the passenger accommodation, although most DLR trains are 2 or 3 units joined together.

 

[185143]

I'd reiterate what others have said above. If you go looking for trouble in certain parts of London, you'll no doubt get it.

If you don't, you'll be fine.

 

[E27007]

Leicester Square is a high-crime area, organised groups of pickpockets and distraction theft. The Leicester Square distraction theft technique is very unusual, a form of hypnosis, I was on the recieving end of an unsucessful attempt, advice is if approached by anyone, do not stop, simply side-step and walk away.
Deptford is risky too, keep your wits about you and be cautious.
Pubs, stealth thefts of valuables, the number of people who have gone for a drink, and their briefcase / coat / jacket was there one minute, gone the next, the City Pubs employ security doormen to watch for this particular criminal activity

 

[themeone]

I wouldn't worry too much, go and enjoy your evening.

Just take usual precautions - probably the most effective of which is stay aware of what's going on around you, which means not listening to loud music on headphones, and keep valuables out of sight.

 

[duncanp]

I wouldn't worry too much, go and enjoy your evening.

Just take usual precautions - probably the most effective of which is stay aware of what's going on around you, which means not listening to loud music on headphones, and keep valuables out of sight.

And try not to fall asleep when taking the South Eastern train out of Charing Cross/London Bridge after having had, ahem, too much liquid refreshment.

You might end up at Orpington, Dartford or some other godforsaken hole in the early hours of the morning, and be faced with a very expensive taxi ride back to your hotel.

 

[DarloRich]

Sorry for rambling but I guess I just seeking for reassurance from somebody who knows the area more than me if possible!

May I ask: what gives you the view that London is unsafe?

TBH Grimsby is fairly rough. If you can survive there you can survive anywhere!

Leicester Square is a high-crime area, organised groups of pickpockets and distraction theft. The Leicester Square distraction theft technique is very unusual, a form of hypnosis, I was on the recieving end of an unsucessful attempt, advice is if approached by anyone, do not stop, simply side-step and walk away.
Deptford is risky too, keep your wits about you and be cautious.
Pubs, stealth thefts of valuables, the number of people who have gone for a drink, and their briefcase / coat / jacket was there one minute, gone the next, the City Pubs employ security doormen to watch for this particular criminal activity

This seems............ interesting. Hypnotised? That is a new one!

 

[Bletchleyite]

There's a pickpocketing and distraction theft issue in Leicester Square/Covent Garden, yes, but it's a bit of a tourist trap anyway, just don't bother going there, it's not that good anyway. It's a fairly self contained issue.

The rest of London is far less of an issue for petty theft than most other European capitals and major cities. Barcelona for instance is so bad (not just on La Rambla) it's as if the police are in on it.

(Yes, laptops get nicked from pubs in the City, meanwhile the Pope I believe practices Roman Catholicism and bears practice defecation in forested areas)

 

[GS250]

Just remember too, that pickpockets and muggers deliberately target those who are obviously very drunk.

 

[RichJF]

I think you're worrying a bit too much. Enjoy the night, have a few drinks, meet your friends, be sensible & it'll be totally fine.

 

[E27007]

May I ask: what gives you the view that London is unsafe?

TBH Grimsby is fairly rough. If you can survive there you can survive anywhere!


This seems............ interesting. Hypnotised? That is a new one!

I cannot find the exact video to illustrtae the technique,
This example is the best I can find:

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's hardly hypnosis, it's just classic distraction

 

[alex397]

Despite the perhaps sensationalised reputation London has, I have found it pretty safe and have never had any problems travelling alone including in the dark and since I was about 13/14. Like everywhere, it’s best to stay to well lit areas, don’t flash gadgets around and don’t look lost. Other than that, you’re likely to be completely fine!

I actually find London safer than the large town I live in, especially at night. While there are plenty of undesirables in London, I find it safer it a city like that where it is busy and well lit at night. Most of the serious crime seems to only occur amongst gangs.
Whereas my walk home in the dark in a provincial large town is very quiet, dimly lit, quite a lot of anti social behaviour and little help from the police. In fact I’ve had various issues where I’ve had to get the police involved, especially in recent months. But London seems safer from my perspective anyway.

(I grew up on the edge of London, and have lived in Kent for the last few years)

 

[52290]

Just remember too, that pickpockets and muggers deliberately target those who are obviously very drunk.

Us northerners can't afford the cost of getting drunk in London.

 

[DarloRich]

I cannot find the exact video to illustrtae the technique,

This cant be a serious post! Hypnotism indeed!

Us northerners can't afford the cost of getting drunk in London.

not that much difference these days!

 

[Russel]

May I ask: what gives you the view that London is unsafe?

Probably our irresponsible media, papers such as the Daily Mail often refer to it as "Lawless London" when crime happens, while ignoring the same thing when it happens in a surburban town...