London Warnings or Dangers

by sue_stone
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London sunset from my window

I came over to London to live for a year and to see some of Europe.........I have now been here for almost 2 years and plan to stay for at least another 2!!!

Be careful, London will find its way under your skin and you may never want to leave!!

There is so much to discover here.....I have barely begun to enjoy all this amazing city has to offer.

Enjoy!

Website: http://www.londonnet.co.uk/

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	Pay To Park or Get Clamped! Tip Rating:

Updated By mazzap

on March 25, 2007

by mazzap
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Note this is NOT my car!!

Probably not quite as bad as having your vehicle towed away completely, but just as inconvenient!

For a fine payment of £65 you can have your car released - but personally, I'd rather pay the parking fee in the first place and prevent the embarrassment never mind the cost!!

Website: %cb%bhttp://www.westminster.gov.uk/transportandstreets/parking/controlledparkingzones/clampsremovals.cfm

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	Take care you know the station name... Tip Rating:

Updated By sourbugger

on March 30, 2006

by sourbugger
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Victoria coach station

Due to the complexity of the public transport system in London, you sometimes have to be very careful in checking exactly which station a tube / train / coach is departing from.

Usually places with similar names are only a short distance away - such as Waterloo East / Waterloo and King's Cross Thameslink / King's Cross, but if you have lots of luggage it could be pain.

Also note some tube lines have stops with the same name as others - such as Edgware road that appears on two different lines - and they are not physically connected.

The most confusing example is Victoria Coach station, which is 10-minute walk from Victoria (train) station, and completely different to Victoria (Bus) station which stands outside the station. I believe that many tourists have missed coaches because of this.

Website: www.tfl.com

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	Pigeons and their plans for world domination Tip Rating:

Updated By aaaarrgh

on January 4, 2005

by aaaarrgh
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hoorah, ken's plan worked!

DO NOT FEED the pigeons, especially in pigeon-friendly locations like Trafalgar Square. These ugly gray birds carry disease, cover everything with their s**t and are quite capable of looking after themselves.

They are not as stupid as they look (which is hardly difficult). Pigeons follow main roads and motorways to navigate and there have been sightings of pigeons using the London Underground!! It is impossible to run-over a pigeon with a car - they are experts at avoiding death!!!

If everyone stopped throwing bread and grain at these birds, they would have to go out and earn an honest living like every other sentient being. And that can only be a good thing ;-)

Website: http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=2032

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	Hot dog sellers Tip Rating:

Updated By planxty

on January 19, 2005

Do not be tempted into buying hot dogs or burgers from any of the street vendors that plague the West End of London.

They are unlicensed and therefore unregulated and the standards of food preparation and hygeine would, quite frankly, make your hair stand on end. I know a number of people who have become very ill after eating from these stalls.

There are plenty of proper eating places in town, open all hours, and you really should have no need to resort to using these vendors.

As a side issue, most of the vendors are controlled by Eastern European criminals (and treated pretty appallingly by them). Many of the vendors are illegal immigrantsrun by "Gang bosses." Not only are you running the risk of sickness, you are also supposting organised criminal activity.

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	A traffic warning tip! Tip Rating:

By irisbe

on June 28, 2004

by irisbe
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Look at the "right" side of
the road!

Who would think that they all drive on the wrong side of the road `-)
The first hours walking and crossing the street is really hazardous when you are used that every one is driving at the right side, not the wrong mmm sorry not the left side !
So be really very careful when you cross the streets that you look at the right directions to see the traffic coming.
For "dumb foreigners" they have been so kind to paint the cross-the-street-instructions on the road.
I must say I feel great gratitude because I am convinced it must have saved my life a couple of times!

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	Bogus minicabs Tip Rating:

By planxty

on January 10, 2005

A problem in London is unlicensed minicabs which hang about outside bars and nightclubs especially in the centre and tout for business.

There are several problems with this. Firstly, the vast majority of them are not covered by insurance for "hire and reward" i.e. taking paying passengers, so if you are unfortunate enough to have an accident you are not covered.

Secondly, if they do manage to get you to where you want to go, they charge extortionate fares, and can be quite "forceful" about collecting the money.

The third, and most serious danger, is that of sexual assault on women. Police in London estimate that on average one woman per week is raped by a bogus minicab driver. 91% of women attacked is under 35 years old, and 50% of them under 24. These bogus drivers deliberately target women who are obviously a little drunk, and who are on their own.

The advice is simple - DON'T DO IT.

Website: http://www.met.police.uk/sapphire/feature2.htm

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	Dont get ripped off by Jack...... Tip Rating:

By sourbugger

on March 29, 2004

by sourbugger
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Is this the face of 'Jack the
Ripper'

Jack the Ripper tours have become big business in London.

If you have 100 people following you around at five pounds a head, then a tidy sum can be earnt.

Unfortunately the reputable companies now have to warn clients that 'hustlers' can sometimes get in on the act. They hold up a few leaflets that look authentic, collect a group, and head off into the night.

If people have paid up front, I presume they then disappear down a dark alley with the loot and the words "I'm Jack and you've been ripped off!".

The only way to avoid this is to telephone the company you are going to use (see tip in Must see activities) and get the name of that day's tour guide. Be sure you get the right person when you meet at Tower Hill tube (they nearly all start from there).

P.S I was goung to write a tip along the lines of try not to be a Victorian prostitute and get wasted on Gin - but I though G would pull it.

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	Unlicensed Mini-cabs Tip Rating:

Updated By Mariajoy

on March 22, 2006

by Mariajoy
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Single females should NEVER take unlicensed mini-cabs. Check the GLA website advice regarding taxis, and minicabs. They also provide a phone number listing licensed cab firms in your area:

"You can text HOME to 60835 and receive the numbers of licensed minicab and black cab firms in the area you are texting from. This service - the first of its type in the UK - was launched by the Mayor in September 2005.

* Text charged at 35p per enquiry plus standard text message rate. Service not currently available on Virgin and 3 mobile networks."

Black cabs in London are expensive late at night - but this really is the safer option. This statement is also taken from the website:

Remember for all private hire journeys, including in a minicab, you must always book through a licensed private hire operator - unlicensed minicab drivers commit 10 sexual assaults every month.

Website: http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/safer_travel/find-minicab.jsp

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	Other ticket booths in Leicester Square Tip Rating:

By Dabs

on August 7, 2004

I've always known about the official 1/2 price theatre ticket booth in Leicester Square so I have never used any of the other surrounding ticket agents. The Official ticket office is the free standing building in the middle of the square clearly marked with TKTS.

But there are many other ticket sellers in the Square, at least one other of which claims to be the official booth. I have heard from other people that they have gotten less than desirable seats from these places and paid more than the 1/2 price booth.