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Staying safe in London

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy London safely, whether you're a first-time visitor, a regular traveller or a local.

  • Call 999 or 112 in an emergency to contact the police, ambulance or fire department.

  • For non-emergencies, contact the police by calling 101. 

  • Never leave your bag unattended, and report any unattended bags or items in public places.

  • Information about major incidents can be found on the Met Police website.

Is London safe?

London is a safe place, but as with any big city, it's worth taking sensible precautions.

Emergency contacts in London

In an emergency, contact the police, ambulance, or fire department on 999 or 112. These numbers are free to call – only use them in a real emergency.

To report a non-urgent crime, contact the local police station by calling 101 from within the UK.

Find information about major incidents in London on the Met Police website. You can also sign up for alerts on X (formerly known as Twitter) or Facebook.

Check transport information on the Transport for London website.

For free and confidential support for victims of crime and their families, visit the Victim Support website. 

Safe travel in London

  • Plan your route before you leave. See the TfL website.
  • Only use taxis or licensed minicabs.
  • Avoid walking alone at night. Keep to well-lit main roads.
  • Take notice of your surroundings and beware of wearing headphones.
  • In the UK, cars drive on the left. To cross roads safely, use designated crossings, cross when the green man is showing and take note of the signs indicating "look right" or "look left" to spot oncoming traffic.

Staying safe in bars and restaurants

  • Keep your property out of sight and safely under the table.
  • Many venues have clips under the tables. Use them to secure your bag.
  • Don't accept drinks from strangers.

Keep your belongings safe

  • Don't leave your bag unattended anywhere in London – this can cause a security alert.
  • Keep your purse or wallet close to your body and don't carry too much cash.
  • When using a cash machine, check that no one is looking over your shoulder and that the ATM hasn't been tampered with. Cover the keypad so no one else can see your PIN.
  • Keep your mobile phone and other electronics out of sight in your pocket or bag when not in use.
  • Record details of your electronic serial numbers (ESNs).
  • Inform your mobile phone provider and police if your phone or other valuables are stolen or lost.

Be aware

  • Report unattended bags or belongings in public places to the police.
  • Download the free citizenAID app on Android or Apple which gives advice on actions to take in case of an incident.
  • Find out more about how London’s Met Police actively protect Londoners and visitors via Project Servator.
  • Watch this video from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) which has advice on what to do in the rare event of a firearms or weapons attack.

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