Don’t shoot me down in flames- a genuine question.

Despite all the concerns about mobiles being stolen, they do make our youngsters safer.

I came across someone who'd been attacked by a machete when I was a teenager, nanna8!
It wasn't unheard of.

Just think, it’s a city of over 9 million people where the sort of attack your thinking of is headline news!

Not something encountered regularly.

Unfortunately if, from half-way round the world, you take on board the sort of news reporting that supports a party which constantly runs our country down and works at giving its followers something to be afraid of, you will end up very afraid.

The world changes, but only superficially, and will be well known to these young people, parents, any leaders involved, and the young people themselves.

I will be frightened when our young people travel away from home. I was frightened when my children travelled in their late teens and when they moved to other countries (although that was tinged with a little envy), but the issues don't change, just the details.

All of them have worked/ are working part time as well as studying. The sisters are very close, like twins in a way. All our lot went travelling but things seem more dangerous these days. We never heard of machetes and stuff like that before. People seem to be angrier and more desperate now.

18, 19?
Lots of young people are going off travelling when they leave school.

How late teens is late teens? And are they adult teens or the kiddish kind who still act like 12 year olds? Depends on how grown up they are and how independent they have been up.til.now.
Otherwise I would suggest they wait I til they are a bit older and have the intelligence to be able to understand danger and safety in both measures

BlueBelle

I have a grandaughter travelling ( sometimes alone) in Aussieland Nana8 at the moment
You worry about then wherever they are She’s told me about all the things she has planned and booked . swimming with sharks, sky diving a whole string of other things I can’t remember (I think I blanked out when she was excitedly telling me) knowing I can barely travel to my nearest city now to look round the shops, but remembering the chances I took in my young days.

My DC didn't tell me about these things until they were faits accomplis, Bluebelle
That way they knew I wouldn't worry! However, I don't remember them swimming with sharks. Crocodiles are a worry though.

No Nana8 I mean swimming with sharks in Australia I believe they go down in cages to be amongst the sharks Nothing I want to know about until it’s been done and over and I know she’s on dry land
Not sure if I ve remembered rightly but somewhere called Port Lincoln was mentioned but it may not have been there that’s a bit of a guess
But they do do it in Australia

Swimming with sharks ? Do you mean dolphins BlueBelle ? No one would ever swim with sharks anywhere over here. They eat people.

nana8 your grandchildren will have a ball in London it’s just as safe, or not, as most big cities are , I like some of these posts and as long as they are careful and stay together they’ll be just fine.
I used to travel to London once a month many years ago, I went to the theatre saw a popular musical, went to China town, madam Tussaud’s, the Tower of London Covent Garden etc etc its okay for a visit but I wouldn’t like to stay there, I prefer Scotland where the air is much fresher.

I have a grandaughter travelling ( sometimes alone) in Aussieland Nana8 at the moment
You worry about then wherever they are She’s told me about all the things she has planned and booked . swimming with sharks, sky diving a whole string of other things I can’t remember (I think I blanked out when she was excitedly telling me) knowing I can barely travel to my nearest city now to look round the shops, but remembering the chances I took in my young days.

Re phone stealing - I just came across this from West Yorkshire Police:

Police are now urging mobile phone users to key in the *#06# number and record their IMEI number so in the event of the phone being stolen the police have a chance of arresting a person who may subsequently use the handset. IMEI numbers will now be recorded by the Police and checked against suspected stolen mobile phones.

Also see : The Government's Mobile Phone safety website : www.immobilise.com. *

Here is the full article with more info:
www.westyorkshire.police.uk/advice/personal-safety-and-possessions/protecting-your-mobile-phone#:~:text=Police%20are%20now%20urging%20mobile,may%20subsequently%20use%20the%20handset.

I live in London and would say the girls would be fine but they do need to be sensible. Phone stealing is a problem so they should keep their phones in their pockets or bags and if they need to use them, make sure they are not standing near the edge of the road (most phones stolen are taken by moped riders). Despite what people say, most Londoners are friendly and helpful. Let the girls have a great adventure.

I have always felt very safe when I visit London from my rural county up north. I use a mix of the underground and taxis -usually black cabs -,but favour walking to wherever I want to go to enjoy the atmosphere.
It doesn’t matter which city your gds visit so long as they are always aware of their surroundings, and keep money and phones hidden.
I can recommend this place for cheap, clean accommodation in a safe area. It’s almost opposite the Natural History museum and I’ve stayed there a few times on school trips with 10-11 year olds.

YHA London Earl's Court - Hostel (Sorry I don’t know how to create a direct link, but it will come up on a search engine.

Hope they have a great time.

happyjo

Sooze58

No phones out on the street, nor on a table when you’re dining and no handbag (purse) on the back of a chair. I hate London now… ☹️

This is the most sensible post on here….

You bunch of scaremongers need to get a grip!

Which bunch of scaremongers would that be, exactly, happyjo?
Most of the advice given is similar, ie be sensible and streetwise, and most have said they will be fine and enjoy themselves. Most have not said that they hate London either.

Sooze58

No phones out on the street, nor on a table when you’re dining and no handbag (purse) on the back of a chair. I hate London now… ☹️

This is the most sensible post on here….

You bunch of scaremongers need to get a grip!

Glad to be sending you the good news that the London Police have just busted a criminal gang who have stolen hundreds of phones, to ship them out to China.

nanna8

I am sure they will be ok with commonsense. They are all intelligent girls and wouldn’t leave drinks unattended. One of my daughters had her drink spiked in London and ended up in hospital - that was in the 1990s when she was over there doing the usual student work placement. It was very worrying, she almost died. I suppose that is why I am anxious for them. They would be marked as tourists by their accents, as she was.

There are lots of Aussies living and working in London too 🙂

I think it's reasonable to be concerned but so long as they take common sense precautions, they should be fine.

Don't have mobiles on show, either in a hand or back pockets, as these young'uns do.

Be aware of your surroundings, especially when using cash machines or getting out phones and purses

Stay together

Politely but firmly decline offers of help to carry luggage, etc

If drinking in pubs, be aware of surroundings and don't leave drinks unattended.

Most of all, enjoy the experience as much as possible. London is a hive of experience, culture and diversity. So many lovely people and great things to see and do.

I am sure they will be ok with commonsense. They are all intelligent girls and wouldn’t leave drinks unattended. One of my daughters had her drink spiked in London and ended up in hospital - that was in the 1990s when she was over there doing the usual student work placement. It was very worrying, she almost died. I suppose that is why I am anxious for them. They would be marked as tourists by their accents, as she was.

Hi, this is my first post, but as a Londoner I must defend my city. It is absolutely no worse than any other busy city, and I am comfortable walking in just about any area at any time of day or night as long as I take ordinary common sense precautions. Public transport is completely safe (because it is so busy). As others have said, your girls must not wave flashy phones around on the street, and they should not put their phones on a table in cafes or pubs, because thieves look out for this. The girls need to keep a hold of their bags at all times - I often wear a small cross-body bag for my valuables. These concerns are not specific to London, they are worldwide. If the girls have any problems at all, passers-by will help. Most Londoners actually are friendly and helpful. I am sure they will have a wonderful time.

My grandson age 20 and few friends visit London few times a year, only on day trips, and to comic con etc his parents always worry, it’s not a place we’d recommend teen girls to be visiting, and they need to keep their wits about them, belongs ie bags and phones secure especially their mobiles hidden …
We live in the UK around 30 miles from London

I recently visited London for the weekend. There were protest marches and due to this i had to walk as busses etc couldn't travel their full route.
I had no problems whatsoever. In fact experienced a very friendly crowd. When I was on the bus/tube etc people were offering me their seats. I didn't take them, I didn't need to but found a much friendlier capital than I had back in the 1990's.
I would not be concerned if my family were going there.
I think everywhere you go you should be vigilant and aware, but nothing different when visiting London. I hope they have a wonderful time

Most large cities require you to keep your wits about you.

I have lived in London for the past 36 years, working in various parts of Central London for 21 years.

During that time I have had:

2 handbags stolen - one in a pub near The Royal Courts of Justice, and the other in an upmarket tea room in Hampstead. I was rather careless about minding my possessions on both occasions.

1 had my cash card snatched when I was distracted at a cash machine - again not concentrating properly.

Only a few months ago, I had my mobile phone taken from out of my backpack while walking on Oxford Street. Again, it was my lack of forethought that brought this about. My backpack had a zip right across the back and, on reflection, was just crying out to be opened. You could warn your granddaughters that Oxford Street has a high frequency of mobile phone thefts.

However, I don't think that is a terrible record for 36 years of London living. And I still go into central London at least 3 times a month.

Most of these thefts could have been avoided if I had been paying proper attention. So, I believe if your granddaughters heed the cautionary advice on here they should be OK.

My husband and I went to Paris for just 4 days several years ago and during that time someone tried to pickpocket me as I was walking up the steps of the Arc de Triomphe.

I hope your granddaughters have a wonderful time. London is such an interesting and exciting place, and I think we are especially lucky to have several large and beautiful parks.