Is it safe to travel through London?

waterfaerie

I'm just looking for some advice or reassurance about the holiday I've planned. I'm extremely nervous about travelling to the extent that I've decided to go to Amsterdam by bus and boat via the UK (a 24 hour journey), rather than fly. It's mainly the terrorist thing that scares me, as I was never afraid of flying before terrorism became a global, public issue.

The problem is, since I booked my bus tickets there has been a massive security alert in the UK. Now I'm afraid to go because we have to travel through Victoria coach station in London. I think I would have been better off flying!

I wonder if anyone knows how safe it is to go to London? I've looked at a few of the UK national security websites and travel advice things and they are not very reassuring .

I don't want to cancel my holiday, especially since it is non-refundable, but I'm seriously panicking! Can anyone help?

Rabies

Go for it. It is your holiday, have fun and enjoy the time off.

Ruu_Old

Don't let it bother you too much, have fun.

jjbrien

waterfaerie wrote:

I'm just looking for some advice or reassurance about the holiday I've planned. I'm extremely nervous about travelling to the extent that I've decided to go to Amsterdam by bus and boat via the UK (a 24 hour journey), rather than fly. It's mainly the terrorist thing that scares me, as I was never afraid of flying before terrorism became a global, public issue.

The problem is, since I booked my bus tickets there has been a massive security alert in the UK. Now I'm afraid to go because we have to travel through Victoria coach station in London. I think I would have been better off flying!

I wonder if anyone knows how safe it is to go to London? I've looked at a few of the UK national security websites and travel advice things and they are not very reassuring .

I don't want to cancel my holiday, especially since it is non-refundable, but I'm seriously panicking! Can anyone help?

Dont worry about it. Its all a load of hype about nothing really. The UK goverment is just trying to scare people. Nothing will happen. Go and have fun!!

BuffyBot

waterfaerie wrote:

I'm just looking for some advice or reassurance about the holiday I've planned. I'm extremely nervous about travelling to the extent that I've decided to go to Amsterdam by bus and boat via the UK (a 24 hour journey), rather than fly. It's mainly the terrorist thing that scares me, as I was never afraid of flying before terrorism became a global, public issue.

Terrorism has been a global, public issue since the 70's. Planes were getting hijacked left, right and centre. They were being blown blown up too (Air India 182, Pan Am 103). The IRA was bombing places across the UK in the 70's 80's/90's. Don't be fooled into thinking risk is something new. Different names, same risks.

The problem is, since I booked my bus tickets there has been a massive security alert in the UK. Now I'm afraid to go because we have to travel through Victoria coach station in London. I think I would have been better off flying!

I wonder if anyone knows how safe it is to go to London? I've looked at a few of the UK national security websites and travel advice things and they are not very reassuring .

Millions and millions of people churn through London and it's public transport system everyday without a hair on their head being harmed, myself included.

I don't want to cancel my holiday, especially since it is non-refundable, but I'm seriously panicking! Can anyone help?

If anything you're less at risk now than ever, considering the last attempts were botched and people arrested. London, to me, is no less safe than it ever was.

Tom Dunne

I know fear is irrational, but I really, really don't get this mindset.

Could I ask if you travel much outside this country?

waterfaerie wrote:

I'm just looking for some advice or reassurance about the holiday I've planned. I'm extremely nervous about travelling to the extent that I've decided to go to Amsterdam by bus and boat via the UK (a 24 hour journey), rather than fly. It's mainly the terrorist thing that scares me, as I was never afraid of flying before terrorism became a global, public issue.

As Buffybot says, terrorism has been around for a very long time. It's nothing new. Ask yourself when was the last time you heard of a terrorist incident involving a plane in Europe. Can you remember?

waterfaerie wrote:

I wonder if anyone knows how safe it is to go to London? I've looked at a few of the UK national security websites and travel advice things and they are not very reassuring .

I'd be very grateful if you could post up a link to these websites. I am flying to London tomorrow (Saturday) an I am intrigued as to what they have to say.

waterfaerie wrote:

I don't want to cancel my holiday, especially since it is non-refundable, but I'm seriously panicking! Can anyone help?

The only help I can offer is in statistics - think of how statistically low the probability of anything happening to you are. In fact, the longer bus/ferry journey has a higher probability of something happening (e.g breakdown, motorway congestion, bad weather).

cooperguy

You are more likely to be simultaneously hit by lightening and catch HIV from a donkey than you are to be caught up in any act of terrorism. Millions and millions of people everyday travel around London and fly in planes and are none the worse far it.

As well as that I was in London in March and had a brilliant time I highly recommend it.

<edit> Sorry I see your only passing through London. Amsterdam is great too a friend of mine was over there a few weeks back. Another highly recommended area:D

nice1franko

you're a lot more more unsafe on the journey from your house to the airport.

get some perspective woman!

Tazzle

And just to throw my 2cents into the mix, you're going to vice city and you're afraid of terrorists? *boggle*

nice1franko

...AND, btw, you've fallen hook, line and sinker for 'The Fear' that the imperialists generate so they can justify invasions.

be stronger!!!


edit- changed the fear to 'The Fear'

egan007

It's funny how TV can fcuk with people....

Have you forgotten that London was bombed on a weekly basis by the IRA in the 80s. It's not any different than it ever was.

Oh and don't forget you can still be knocked down by a bus in London but (which is more likely than being blown up in a terrorist attack) but I don't' see you questioning that.

Sorry for the hard stance but for god sake THINK don't just listen to the mindless drone on Sky News. Enjoy your Fuking holiday like you never enjoyed a holiday before.

Tazzle

There is a slight difference in that for the most part, IRA bombs were generally called ahead to a news agency/authority, and suicide bombings do have a greater impact on people's psyche. But ye, it's still a case of 'lol', that people are so greatly affected by such relatively small incidents of violence. There are some definitive problems with the way media in the western world is becoming so impact driven. Every headline must have an element of spin! Every story must be more dramatic and more emphatic so as to win hearts and minds!

Tom Dunne

It's like the thread we had on this very forum a few weeks back where a parent was wondering if it was still safe to bring his/her kids to Portugal in light of the Madeline disappearance.

Too much Sky News, methinks.

mikedragon32

Panic mongering clearly works.

OP, thanks to the IRA, the Brits have counter-terrorism down to a tee. You're safer there than anywhere else I can think of.

It's the same threat that's existed in Britain for as long as I remember (albeit the IRA only aimed at "legitimate targets") . It's just the personnel are different.

BossArky

I live in London. I work in London. I have not been blown up yet. It is fine.

Tchocky

On a london-related topic, I'lll be passing through next week for a couple of days. Anything essential to visit/see/inhale?

Oh, and OP - Relax, nothing will happen to you. God only strikes sinners. Pray on the plane/boat/bus to comfort yourself and those around you.

waterfaerie

Thanks everyone, I do feel a bit better about it after your advice. I know it would be a shame to give in to the fear. I'll have to try and get over it. It'll be worth it when I get there!

tom dunne wrote:

Could I ask if you travel much outside this country?

I've travelled to other places, America included, but not as much as I would like to, and especially not since 9/11. I think my fear of travelling started then. I was in San Francisco for the Summer when I was in college and I should have been over there at the time it happened but while I was there I got these strange feelings that something bad might happen and I decided to come home early. My friends who stayed, however, ended up stuck over there afterwards and were in a bad way coming home. The whole thing really freaked me out.

Since that I worked in Amsterdam for a year, and have done a very limited amount of travelling. I love seeing other places but getting there usually stresses me a lot.

tom dunne wrote:

I'd be very grateful if you could post up a link to these websites. I am flying to London tomorrow (Saturday) an I am intrigued as to what they have to say.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/security/current-threat-level/

http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/home/index.aspx?id=8546

Tazzle wrote:

And just to throw my 2cents into the mix, you're going to vice city and you're afraid of terrorists? *boggle*

I know Amsterdam so well so that isn't a worry, it's just the getting there!

I do realise it's irrational fear and I hate giving in to the whole spin the media puts on things, but I'm just a bit of a panicky person. Plenty of rescue remedy and I'll hope for the best.

Thanks all for the reassurance!

killbillvol2

waterfaerie wrote:

I'm just looking for some advice or reassurance about the holiday I've planned. I'm extremely nervous about travelling to the extent that I've decided to go to Amsterdam by bus and boat via the UK (a 24 hour journey), rather than fly. It's mainly the terrorist thing that scares me, as I was never afraid of flying before terrorism became a global, public issue.

The problem is, since I booked my bus tickets there has been a massive security alert in the UK. Now I'm afraid to go because we have to travel through Victoria coach station in London. I think I would have been better off flying!

I wonder if anyone knows how safe it is to go to London? I've looked at a few of the UK national security websites and travel advice things and they are not very reassuring .

I don't want to cancel my holiday, especially since it is non-refundable, but I'm seriously panicking! Can anyone help?

I think you'll find that flying is the safest form of transport, statistically. Unfortunately when there's a "mishap" it tends to be final due to the gravity issue.

Kobie

Far more Europeans have drowned in ferry disasters in the last 20 years than have died at the hands of terrorists.

*EDIT: Not to mention coach crashes.

Lisapeep

With the terrorist threat in the UK at "severe", now is probably the most safe time to travel. Security has never been so tight and new measures are being put in place every day to make things safer. I recently travelled home through London. The airport was packed with thousands of other people doing the same and there was no feeling of danger. You'll be fine!

Esmereldina

Lisapeep wrote:

With the terrorist threat in the UK at "severe", now is probably the most safe time to travel. Security has never been so tight and new measures are being put in place every day to make things safer. I recently travelled home through London. The airport was packed with thousands of other people doing the same and there was no feeling of danger. You'll be fine!

This is true. I was in London last week and all I noticed was that in train and tube stations there was more visible security and also the security people seemed to pick up on the slightest thing that might have been a threat... a little annoying as it meant more delays when traveling sometimes, but at least you can be assured that you are quite safe. Oh yes, and I'm still alive anyways
As far as airport security goes, I find the new measures that have been put in place over the last few months more annoying than anything really (nope, no bombs in my lip gloss and all that...) but at least I think we can all travel in the knowledge that we are quite safe. For example. I had my shoes x - rayed in a separate x - ray machine in Stansted... that's after the normal metal detector, so at least you know that security staff are being thorough!

Kobie

Esmereldina wrote:

I had my shoes x - rayed in a separate x - ray machine in Stansted... that's after the normal metal detector, so at least you know that security staff are being thorough!

Which is why I always carry my plastic explosives in my trouser pockets.

Tom Dunne

Just back from London last night and I have to say, I was amazed at the lack of visible security. You would get the impression they are a country under armed-guard, in reality, it couldn't be further from the truth.

Of all the trips on the tube, I don't think I once saw a policeman/woman or any kind of security. I assume that is a testament to how safe it is, but I felt completely safe.

waterfaerie

Just wanted to say that I'm back from my holiday, I had an amazing time and I'm still alive. I can't believe how silly I was!

I am so glad I left before this post was made by Kobie:

Kobie wrote:

Far more Europeans have drowned in ferry disasters in the last 20 years than have died at the hands of terrorists.

*EDIT: Not to mention coach crashes.

how cruel! Although, out of 4 different Eurolines bus drivers, only one of them didn't drive like a maniac, and the worst one was the Irish one!

Funny, there really wasn't very much security at all. When we got to Holyhead from Dublin they made us get off the coach and take our bags from underneath and bring them through customs, but they didn't even look at our luggage or anything, only our passports. In Victoria coach station I didn't see one security guard. It didn't feel at all unsafe though.

What was really surprising was the lack of security on the way back from Amsterdam. The bus driver actually stopped just before the Belgian border and gave people half an hour to smoke any stuff they had left and dispose of anything else before we left Holland, but the Belgians didn't check and neither did the French or English or Irish. In fact, we were checked less coming from Amsterdam then coming from Ireland. I know this is a different topic, but I thought it was fairly interesting.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who told me to go and not be so paranoid. I'm glad I didn't give in to fear!

Kobie

Glad you made it back in one piece

btw, the borders on the continent are completely open - so there's no controls moving form one country to the next. Even flying from say, Amsterdam to Paris you don't need to go through immigration control in the airports.