Study in London - Keep Your Belongings Safe

Unlike many capital cities worldwide, London is a comparatively safe place to study and live if you have common sense and are aware of your surroundings. This piece of writing looks at some points on the topic of safety whilst you study in London.

Generally all regions of London are safe during the day for anyone who acts with the least amount of common sense. It should be noted however that there are some neighbourhoods such as Wood Green, Harlesden, and Thamesmead which have increased incidents of crime.

According to Boris Johnson, the London Mayor and the GLA (Metropolitan Police, London Development Agency, Transport for London and the London Fire Brigade), the topic of "Crime and Community safety" takes precedence on the London agenda which has led to a number of neighbourhood projects being launched as a means of keeping all regions and people of London safe. Due to recent developments released by the London Metropolitan Police it is now possible to map any reported crime in any London location using a crime map on the internet (maps.met.police.uk). If you are looking for accommodation whilst you study in London, this map may be a beneficial way to determine safety levels in a particular area before you arrive.

Above all, your safety is most important so it is certainly worth bearing in mind some pre-emptive measures until you become more familiar as a resident studying in London:

Safe Keeping of Personal Possessions

In your new home where you study in London, it is advisable to keep valuables away from public view and always lock doors and windows behind you when going out.

It is always advisable to keep separate copies of your passport, visa details, entry clearance and immigration stamps.

Never leave valuable property outdoors where there is a higher likelihood of it being stolen. For example, if you have a bike it is better to keep it inside your building, or in a locked room as London bike thieves can be notoriously fast at stealing frames, wheels and seats even when a bike is protected with a security lock, and attached to a post.

Plan a Route

When students first arrive to study in London, the transport system may seem daunting. However there are resources online such as the "Travel for London" (TFL) website which can greatly help you in getting where you need to go. Your selected route can then be printed which can be especially useful if travelling at night in an unknown area.

Be Alert

It is worth remembering that pickpockets generally frequent busy underground stations, shopping districts and outside ATMs, so be cautious when carrying valuables such as a mobile phone or wallet in a crowded location by keeping them out of sight in a closed bag or pocket. As a student in London, it is safer to carry credit a debit cards on you rather than amounts of cash exceeding 50 Pounds

Your safety should not be a cause for concern when you study in London as long as you act with a minimum level of awareness in your environment.