Ah, London, cuppa tea, bad weather, Jack the Ripper, Mary Poppins, you know, London! As the busy capital of England and one of the most visited places in the world, it certainly has a lot of history, culture and contrasting neighbourhoods. From iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the Tower of London to its busy and diverse streets, there’s no shortage of things to see and experience.
Like any major city, London has its share of areas that may not be the safest for tourists to roam around, mainly those with higher crime rates, run-down housing estates, and other potential risks for different reasons.
I didn’t want to rank these areas as stats can be misleading in terms of where has the most crime. Here’s a guide to the areas to avoid in London if you are visiting as a tourist.
1. Hackney
We start off with a bit of a contrast here as Hackney in East London is generally considered a cool place to hang out and has undergone significant gentrification in recent years. However, certain parts still have a serious reputation for crime, mainly around housing estates.
If somebody is attacked in Hackney, which is a regular occurrence then it is usually related to youth, gang crime, or victims that are known to their assailants. Areas like Hackney Central and Hackney Wick have seen improvements in safety, but overall it might be better to steer clear of the area, especially at night if you want to minimise risk.
2. Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets in East London, includes areas like Whitechapel, Limehouse, Shadwell, and Bethnal Green, which again have seen significant investment in recent years. However, many parts of these areas still see higher levels of crime and just visually look like less safe places to roam, especially the repeated housing estate blocks and busy thoroughfares. Again night-time can be a little worse but the area doesn’t include major sights to see so it’s easier to avoid.
3. Tottenham and Wood Green
In North London, there are areas like Tottenham and Wood Green, which have diverse communities and a few sights to see along the way. However, these areas also experience higher levels of crime especially near the high streets and transport hubs.
Tottenham is known to be pretty rough so if you’re there to see Spurs then fair enough but there’s no need to stay here or plan a late night out nearby either.
4. Camden
While Camden Market is a popular destination for all visitors for its alternative shops and exciting atmosphere, the areas surrounding the main high streets are a bit rougher, especially after dark. Camden has been known for its higher rates of street crime, including theft and drug-related incidents. So it’s best to stick to the busier, trendy spots to be safe.
5. Lambeth
Lambeth is a very large area south of the River Thames but it’s not all bad in Lambeth by any means. Again there are plenty of nice areas here such as Herne Hill and Clapham but there are also little pockets with dodgy estates and back streets in between the big towns that just aren’t worth touring.
I’ve lived in Lambeth for 7 years and enjoy most of it but areas like Brixton, Vauxhall, and Norwood have some back streets that are less desirable despite having lively shopping areas and high streets. Generally don’t stray too far after dark or go to the wrong pub as these little pockets still experience higher levels of crime. Tourists should just use common sense and caution, especially in less busy areas.
6. Bermondsey
Located in Southwark, south of the river and not far from home to popular attractions like the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Bermondsey has areas with higher crime rates, particularly around council estates and housing developments. It does have a pretty cool beer mile under the rail arches but around that can get a bit dodgy. It is also advisable to steer clear of Millwall’s ground on match days as that can get a bit rowdy too.
7. Islington
Islington, located north of central London, includes areas like Finsbury Park and Holloway, which have diverse communities and busy nightlife. However, certain parts such as Highbury, Canonbury and near Dalston still experience higher levels of crime, particularly around housing estates and busy streets.
8. Stratford and Canning Town
Part of Newham borough in East London, which has seen huge redevelopment in recent years, particularly around the Olympic Park, which is a safe, very modern area. However, certain pockets still see higher levels of crime, particularly around housing estates, transport hubs, or local pubs. Tourists can enjoy the many modern local sights here but be wary in the quieter spots, especially after dark.
9. Croydon
Based in South London, Croydon is a city of its own now but still considered as part of London. It has lots of redevelopment, skyscrapers and transport hubs but the crime rates here are still high. Street crime is rife and the percentage of crime is 4 times higher than London in general and is one of the main areas to avoid in London as a tourist since there’s no major landmarks down here either.
10. Muswell Hill and Alexandra Palace
Very North of London and home to the famous Alexandra Palace venue (Ally Pally). It does draw the crows but it also draws the crime in too. Partly from crowds but it is also naturally a bit rough around the edges. Haringey’s borough, in general, has witnessed a decline in crime rates, but certain neighbourhoods still see a lot of action.
11. Lewisham
Lewisham, located in South East London, has similarities to Lambeth in that the Borough itself does have some nice spots but it includes areas like Deptford and Catford, which still experience higher levels of crime, particularly around housing estates and busy streets. The trendy bars might give off a gentrified vibe but the back streets still show the edgy history.
While these areas may have higher crime rates compared to other parts of London, I would still say London is generally a safe city overall. The key is similar to most cities; stay aware of your surroundings, avoid secluded areas after dark, and use common sense. In terms of London safety advice it’s best not to walk alone in the dark with your phone out to remove the chance of a ride-by-thief snatching it.
Is it safe on London transport?
On transport, the system is usually safe but it’s advisable to use reputable transportation options like licensed taxis or public transit. Late at night, I would say preferably use taxis and Uber options after 11pm as late buses and trains can get rowdy. With good awareness, you can have a great time exploring London.