The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses the UK at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to terrorism.

 

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The U.S. Embassy in London does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizens’ Services unit (ACS) cannot recommend a particular individual or location, and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided.

Please review OSAC’s United Kingdom-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

As a result of the close economic, social, political, and cultural ties shared by the U.S. and the UK, the number of American expatriate residents and short-term visitors in the UK is estimated at over 250,000. Close to 300,000 U.S. citizens live, work and study throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Crime Threats

There is moderate threat from crime in London. Cities in the UK are safer than comparable metropolitan areas in the U.S. However, the rate of violent and non-violent crimes the UK continued to increase in 2018, especially in urban areas. 

Violent criminal confrontations and the use of weapons are still relatively rare, although serious incidents are possible and do occur. Most violent crimes, including those involving firearms, typically occur between members of rival criminal gangs. The personal possession of guns is outlawed, except for the strictly regulated use of shotguns for sporting purposes.

While personal assaults are less common in the UK than they are in the U.S., they do represent an area for concern.

Crimes in London, especially those targeting tourists, are typical. Visitors or temporary residents may be more susceptible to criminal targeting due to their unfamiliarity with local practices. As in any other metropolitan area, there are high-crime areas/localities in cities throughout the UK. The UK has a comprehensive website that details crime reporting in a particular area.

Several crime trends flourished in London in 2018:

• Thieves on scooters continued to target people using cell phones on the street in central and north London, despite expansive police powers in the pursuit of criminals driving mopeds.
• Crimes involving offensive weapons increased slightly from 2017 to 2018. Murders increased by 50% from 2017, reaching a 10-year high of 134. 70 of the homicides were the result of an edged weapon; 12 were the result of a firearm.
• Vehicular break-ins increased in all parts of the city by approximately 14%. Thieves force entry and take belongings, including portable satellite navigation systems or other items of value, left in plain sight.
• Theft of bags, purses, and phones in busy central London pubs, bars, and restaurants continued to be an increasing problem.
• ATM scams around Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and in/around the Tube system continue to be prevalent.
• Hate crimes involving ethnicity, religion, and transgender issues rose slightly in 2018.

There is minimal threat from crime in Belfast and Edinburgh. Crimes in both cities—especially those targeting tourists—are typical. Visitors and residents should exercise the same level of common sense and caution that they would while living in any major U.S. urban area. Street crime in Belfast and Edinburgh is lower than most cities throughout the UK. Pickpockets and ATM card skimming activities are present, but violent crime against strangers is comparatively rare.

For more information, please review OSAC’s Report, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud.

Cybersecurity Issues

The British government perceives cybercrime to be a real, serious threat to national security and public safety. The government has identified cyberattacks against the UK by other states and large-scale cybercrime as a ‘tier one’ threat (the highest level of threat) to national security. The UK government has sought to identify threats and opportunities presented by an increasingly connected world, and has highlighted the need to shape “training for mainstream law enforcement on cyber issues, making sure the links to related issues such as bullying or child exploitation are made.”

Organized crime has been quick to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Internet, particularly the growth in e-commerce and online banking. Specialist criminal groups target individuals, small businesses, and large corporate networks to steal personal information in bulk in order to profit from compromised data.

For more information regarding cyber security and awareness, visit The National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU) led by the UK National Crime Agency.

Transportation-Safety Situation

For more information, please review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Driving in the UK, aside from the challenge of driving on the left, is similar to driving in the U.S. City and country roads are generally excellent but are narrow and often congested in urban areas. For more information on self-driving, please review OSAC’s Report Driving Overseas: Best Practices. Visitors uncomfortable with or intimidated by the prospect of driving on the left side of the road may wish to avail themselves of the extensive public transportation system, which includes bus, rail, and air travel options. 

Visitors and new residents should be familiar with the meaning of British road signs. Highway Code can provide information on driving regulations and road signage. Penalties for driving under the influence of even minimal amounts of alcohol or drugs are severe, often resulting in prison sentences. 

The maximum speed limit on highways/motorways is 70 miles per hour. Motorways generally have a hard shoulder (breakdown lane) on the left, defined by a solid white line. It is illegal to stop or park on a hard shoulder, except in an emergency. Emergency call boxes (orange telephone booths with “SOS” printed on them) are found at half-mile intervals along motorways. White and blue poles placed every 100 yards along motorways point in the direction of the nearest call box. 

Travelers intending to rent cars should make sure that they are adequately insured. U.S. auto insurance is not always valid internationally, and travelers may wish to purchase supplemental insurance, which is generally available from most major rental agents.

A congestion charge of £11.50 is imposed on all cars entering much of central London from Monday-Friday, from 0700-1800. Information on the congestion charge can be found on the Transport for London website.

Public Transportation Conditions

Public transport in London is excellent and extensive. Information on disruptions to London transportation services can be found on the Transport for London website. Information about the status of National Rail Services can be found on the National Rail Enquiries website.

Public transport in Northern Ireland is more limited than the rest of the UK. Buses are the primary public transportation mode, with some train service available to certain cities. Information about mass transit is available on Translink NI’s website. 

Other Travel Conditions

Pedestrian safety is a major consideration, as pedestrians from right-side drive countries are occasionally injured or killed when they forget that oncoming traffic approaches from the opposite direction from what they are accustomed. There are reminders painted on the sidewalk curbs indicating the direction in which pedestrians must look before crossing. Visitors and new residents should be aware that, as a pedestrian, having the green traffic light does not mean it is safe to proceed into the street. Especially in urban centers, drivers may not be entirely familiar with UK road signage and rules, pedestrians should always proceed with caution and never presume that being "right" means being safe.

Terrorism Threat

Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns

There is a considerable risk from terrorism in London, a moderate threat in Belfast, and a minimal threat in Edinburgh. International terrorism continues to be a considerable concern in the UK. Great efforts were made in 2018 in response to five major terrorist attacks that occurred in the UK in the previous year. While not reported in the media due to operational sensitivities, authorities thwarted a considerable number of terrorist plots in 2018, according to the police services in the UK, as well as making a record number of terrorism-related arrests.

One incident in August 2018, considered to be an act of terrorism, resulted in two injured pedestrians when a man drove a car into cyclists near the Houses of Parliament during rush hour. 

Attacks in 2017, which included the use of knives, vehicles, and explosives, resulted in the highest number of deaths attributed to terrorism in the UK since 2005. A recap of the 2017 attacks includes the following five major incidents:

• On September 15, 22 people were injured when a subway train was attacked at Parsons Green station in West London. An improvised explosive device (IED) left in a construction bucket partially ignited. An 18-year old man was arrested in relation to the attack.
• On June 19, one person was killed and ten were injured when a man drove a van through a crowd outside the Finsbury Mosque in North London. The man was apprehended by bystanders and arrested by police.
• On June 3, three people were killed when three men in a van struck pedestrians along the London Bridge. Armed with ceramic knives taped to their hands, they then proceeded to stab five people to death upon exiting the vehicle. 48 people were injured on the bridge and in nearby Borough Market. Police responded within eight minutes, shooting and killing all three attackers on the street in Borough Market.
• On May 23, 22 people were killed and 59 more injured when an individual carrying an IED in a backpack detonated his device as audience members were departing from a concert at the Manchester Arena. The attacker died in the explosion.
• On March 22, four people were killed when a lone individual drove a vehicle into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge. The attacker crashed into a fence at the Houses of Parliament, exiting the vehicle with a knife and killing a law enforcement officer. The individual was shot and killed by police.

Islamist extremists continue to view the UK as a legitimate and high-priority target for attack. Following the 2017 attacks in London and Manchester, the UK government increased spending on counter-terrorism operations, which resulted in multiple surveillance and terrorism-related arrest operations against radical Islamist groups and their surrogates who had demonstrated their intent and capability to conduct attacks on UK soil. This threat is enhanced by the reality of violence perpetrated by radicalized lone actors, in groups and individually.

The UK government assesses that the current threat of international terrorism against the country is “Severe,” meaning that an attack is “highly likely.” The UK raised the threat rating to “Critical” on two occasions during 2017: once after the Manchester attack, and again for a brief period following the Parsons Green attempted bombing. The UK assesses the threat against specific U.S. targets at a “Substantial” level, meaning that there is a “strong possibility” of attack.

In Northern Ireland, Republican dissident groups mostly target British police, military, and governmental interests, and have not stated grievances against U.S citizens or the U.S. private sector. Any direct impact on U.S. interests would likely be a “wrong place, wrong time” scenario, rather than a targeted attack. The ramifications of Brexit on the Irish border may exacerbate the situation in Northern Ireland. 

The UK National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), created a nationwide video campaign -- “Run, Hide, Tell” -- that advises members of the public on how to react in the event of a firearms or weapons attack. The four-minute film called “Stay Safe: Firearms and Weapons Attack” sets out three key steps for keeping safe and can be accessed at the National Police Chiefs Council website.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

 

Civil Unrest

There is a moderate risk from civil unrest in London and Belfast, and a minimal risk in Edinburgh. Given the diversity of the population, political events that take place around the globe can often precipitate demonstrations and protests in the UK, and particularly in London. The U.S. Embassy, Trafalgar Square, and Houses of Parliament are routinely the target of protest and civil unrest. 

London has experienced numerous, large-scale political demonstrations in recent years.  In January 2017, approximately 40,000 protested outside the U.S. Embassy when it was located in Grosvenor Square, marching to Trafalgar Square to join a larger Women’s Day protest of close to 100,000 people. Brexit demonstrations have become more frequent as the March 2019 deadline approaches for the official plan to separate from the European Union. Most of the protest focus is centered at Parliament Square and the Houses of Parliament. The Metropolitan Police have a visible presence in and around these areas.

The greatest hazards to visitors in Northern Ireland are along the protest and parade routes in Belfast during marching season, which occurs in June and July. Northern Ireland frequently experiences demonstrations, but they are generally small (<100 people) and typically occur near Belfast City Hall. There is always a visible police presence, and there is no recent history of violence occurring at City Hall demonstrations. Demonstrations at the Consulate in Belfast are rare, small, short, and peaceful.

Maintain good personal security practices, stay current with media coverage of local events, avoid large demonstrations, and exercise caution should they happen upon demonstrations. On days when large political protests are planned, do not wear anything that might be seen as offensive by demonstrators and/or anything blatantly associated with the U.S. Travelers who are confronted or otherwise caught up in a group of demonstrators should attempt to depart the area immediately and seek protection from the nearest police officer, or enter a public establishment and contact police by dialing 999.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

Though religious and ethnic undertones may exist in many of the protests and significant events, it is more appropriate to associate these events with the outward messages conveyed by the individuals or groups, rather than to attribute them to religious or ethnic tensions within the UK.

Police Response

Response by police, fire, and emergency medical services are equivalent to those in the U.S. Police services are professional, well trained, and community-focused. All levels of police services continue to face daunting fiscal challenges and thus strongly encourage public participation in ensuring personal and neighborhood safety. These initiatives often take the form of extensive community policing programs that educate citizens, residents, and visitors regarding current crime and safety issues. Expatriate residents and long-term visitors may take advantage of the opportunities provided by UK emergency services to educate themselves on safety and security practices.

Policing units are routinely unarmed, with the exception of a handful of specialized firearms support teams, counterterrorism protective specialists, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

How to Handle Incidents of Police Detention or Harassment

If arrested or detained, U.S. citizens should contact U.S. Embassy London’s American Citizen Services (ACS) unit. The Embassy's main number is +44(20) 7499-9000 and is available 24 hours a day. 

Crime Victim Assistance

The nationwide telephone number for emergency assistance is 999. The number connects to an operator who can connect with any needed emergency service (police, fire, medical responders).

Non-emergency calls should be made to other numbers found in the local telephone directory for the service required. Non-emergency calls to the police may be directed to 101, which terminate at the local police precinct.

For local first responders, please refer to the Embassy’s Emergency Assistance page.

Police/Security Agencies

The Metropolitan Police Service employs 31,000 officers and nearly 1,500 Police Community Support Officers, covering an area of 620 square miles and a population of 8 million people across the 32 boroughs of London. There are over 600 “Safer Neighborhood” teams.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) employs 6,600 officers and is responsible for all policing efforts throughout Northern Ireland.  

Police Scotland employs approximately 17,000 officers responsible for all policing matters in Scotland.

Medical Emergencies

Summon emergency medical assistance by dialing 999 countrywide; in London, non-emergency medical advice is available by calling 111.

Contact Information for Available Medical Services

Patients may present themselves at the accident and emergency (referred to as “A and E”) department of major National Health Services (NHS) hospitals or at private urgent and emergency care clinics. NHS is the main healthcare provider in the UK; treatment is free for UK residents. Those not covered by the NHS will be seen in NHS facilities for any medical emergency; however, they are generally expected to pay directly for the services. Treatment for non-life-threatening conditions at “A and E” departments may require several hours, depending on demand. Those wishing to use private clinics will also be expected to pay directly for services, often at rates significantly higher than those in the U.S.

For medical assistance, please refer to the Embassy’s Medical Assistance page.

Available Air Ambulance Services

As medical services can provide treatment fully comparable to that available in U.S. hospitals and clinics, air ambulance services are generally not necessary. London Helicopter Emergency Service (HEMS) is the primary air ambulance service in London. 

Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI) is the sole air ambulance service in Northern Ireland and began operation in August 2017. 

Insurance Guidance

The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to determine if the policy applies overseas and if it covers emergency expenses. You are strongly advised to take out travel insurance to cover any medical expenses. Tourists and short-term visitors will be charged for medical treatment, and these may be significantly higher than those charged for similar care in the U.S. 

Most medical care facilities and medical care providers do not accept insurance subscription as a primary source of payment. Rather, the beneficiary is expected to pay for the service and then seek reimbursement from the insurance company. This may require significant upfront payments of $10,000-20,000 or more in an emergency.

Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for the United Kingdom.

 

OSAC Country Council Information

The London Country Council is active, meeting twice a year. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Europe Team with any questions.

U.S. Embassy Location and Contact Information

Embassy Address and Hours of Operation

U.S. Embassy London

33 Nine Elms Lane, London, UK SW11 7US

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 0830-1730

Embassy Contact Numbers

Switchboard: +44 (0)20 7499 9000

Website: https://uk.usembassy.gov/

Nearby Posts

Consulate General Belfast: https://uk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/belfast/

Consulate General Edinburgh: https://uk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/edinburgh/

Embassy Guidance

The U.S. Department of State encourages all visitors to take part in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The benefits of enrolling the STEP include: receiving important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country; helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans; helping the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency; and to help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.

Additional Resources

United Kingdom Country Information Sheet