Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin the United Kingdom due to terrorism. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the United Kingdom.”
Updated Wed, 09 Sep 2026
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Is London safe? 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, London scores 69/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. London remains generally safe for visitors despite terrorism concerns and localized street crime requiring increased caution. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
London 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Assessed 19 October 2026
69
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime56/100FairCrime index 55.0 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment68/100FairMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability81Good
Health91Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for United Kingdom: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-05T14:33:12.1948964-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
9.0M residents
40
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.1 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6United Kingdom1.1World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
93
Robbery / mugging
ModerateOpportunistic robberies, often moped-enabled phone snatching, occur in affluent areas like Mayfair and Westminster, particularly at night.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are concerns in crowded tourist zones, major stations (King's Cross, Waterloo), shopping areas (Oxford Street), and on public transport.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
68/100
Reported feel70Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Most visitors report feeling safe day-to-day, with well-lit, busy streets in central and residential areas even at night, though phone snatching remains a specific concern requiring vigilance.
Yes. London remains generally safe for visitors despite terrorism concerns and localized street crime requiring increased caution.
London's composite safety index is 69/100, reflecting moderate crime risks balanced by strong institutions and low terrorism fatalities. Visitors face moderate risks of pickpocketing and robbery, particularly phone snatching by moped riders in tourist areas and on public transport. Day-to-day safety perception among travelers is mostly positive when basic precautions are taken.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Two men arrested after a 25-year-old was stabbed near Dollis Hill Tube station— Genesis Signals
- Oct 2026Reported cashpoint robbery attempt in Islington— Genesis Signals
- Oct 2026U.S. Embassy issued a Security Alert for London due to terrorism concerns— U.S. Embassy and Consulates in the United Kingdom
- Sep 2026Golders Green stabbing of Jewish men confirmed as a hate crime, not terrorism— i24NEWS
Common scams
- unofficial guides near major attractions
- unlicensed minicabs
- pedicab overcharging
- fake or touted tickets
Full briefing
London has seen recent knife attacks near Dollis Hill Tube station and an attempted cashpoint robbery in Islington, both reported in mid-October 2026, highlighting localized violent crime that remains concentrated away from typical tourist zones. The U.S. Embassy issued a security alert for London on October 7, 2026, citing ongoing terrorism concerns, though such threats rarely directly impact visitors due to visible policing and intelligence efforts. Pickpocketing and phone snatching persist as the most common risks for travelers, especially in crowded areas like Oxford Street, King's Cross, and Westminster, where moped-enabled thefts target phones near curb edges. To stay safe, visitors should secure valuables, avoid using phones while walking near traffic, and remain alert on the Underground during peak hours. Applying for an ETA before travel is mandatory as of February 2026, and sticking to official ticket sellers and licensed transport helps avoid scams. While outer boroughs may experience higher levels of knife crime and gang-related violence, central London and major residential areas remain well-lit and busy, supporting a mostly positive day-to-day sense of safety for those who take standard precautions.
Was this London, United Kingdom report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 London districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the London safety map.
Dollis HillavoidPolice activity and cordons following a stabbing on 2026-10-18; avoid area while emergency response continues.
WestminstercautionPickpocketing and phone snatching common near tourist sites and transport hubs; violent crime rare but stay alert after dark.
CamdencautionNightlife area with typical late-night incidents; phone theft by moped riders reported near roads; exercise caution after dark.
ShoreditchcautionPopular nightlife district with standard urban risks; pickpocketing and bag-snatching in crowds; avoid isolated streets late at night.
IslingtoncautionRecent attempted cashpoint robbery reported; keep valuables secure and maintain situational awareness, especially at night.
SouthwarksaferResidential and tourist-friendly; violent crime against visitors rare; well-lit streets and good transport links.
KensingtonsaferAffluent area with low violent crime; standard precautions for belongings advised; generally safe day and night.
HammersmithsaferWest London area noted as safe by residents; standard urban caution applies; no specific recent incidents reported.
07 · After Dark
Is London safe at night?
Opportunistic robberies, often moped-enabled phone snatching, occur in affluent areas like Mayfair and Westminster, particularly at night.
After dark, be most careful around Dollis Hill, Westminster, Camden, Shoreditch. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
London safety FAQ (2026)
Is London safe right now (2026)?
Yes. London remains generally safe for visitors despite terrorism concerns and localized street crime requiring increased caution. London's composite safety index is 69/100, reflecting moderate crime risks balanced by strong institutions and low terrorism fatalities. Visitors face moderate risks of pickpocketing and robbery, particularly phone snatching by moped riders in tourist areas and on public transport. Day-to-day safety perception among travelers is mostly positive when basic precautions are taken. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is London safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this London report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of London should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Dollis Hill as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in London (2026)?
- unofficial guides near major attractions
- unlicensed minicabs
- pedicab overcharging
- fake or touted tickets
How does London compare with other places in United Kingdom (2026)?
London ranks #9 of 9 United Kingdom destinations we've assessed, scoring 69/100. See the United Kingdom safety overview for the full list.
How is this london safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: london.json (CC BY 4.0).