Tips for Tourists

In our vibrant communities tourism flourishes and visitors and services alike benefit.

We have some epic locations

• Tower bridge
• Tower of London
• Brick Lane
• Canary Wharf

There is little night-time economy in the borough apart from a few clubs having licenses to stay open til late or provide take-away food services with the help of couriers.

For the majority of tourists visiting epic locations like Brick Lane with it’s many small independent shops and restaurants provides a superb experience, also served by guides. Looking at the artistic graffiti along Brick Lane has become a much loved hobby and people send the pictures of the graffiti all around the world.

Tourists often carry cash, identity and travel documents, communications equipment with them whilst out and about. Thieves are aware of this.

We want to urge you to:

• Mobile phones
  • always keep them securely attached to yourself, either by keeping it in a special phone bag or phone holder around your neck.
  • you may just use your map or look at messages and some opportunist thieves, often on a bicycle, drives by and snatches the phone out of your hand.
• Rucksacks
  • Wear them to the front of your body. When it gets busy thieves can open the zips and take items from inside whilst you concentrate on something else.
• Bags
  • All zips must be closed and not easy to reach
• Valuables
  • Best to keep them in the hotel safe, where they are insured.
• Restaurants, pubs, clubs.
  • Never leave your phone or valuables on the top of the table. Thieves use destruction methods to approach you, put an item on top of your phone and then remove both whilst keeping you busy chatting.
  • Don’t hang bags onto your chair
  • How much you get yourself intoxicated is your responsibility. Don’t accept drinks from strangers and protect your glass.
  • There is an Ask Angela service available if you feel unsafe. Approach the staff and Ask for Angela. This is a sign that you need help.

Reporting problems

Most tourist areas are not heavily patrolled.

Be ready to report any problems you may come across.

• Dial 999 if a crime is in progress
• @MettCC on Twitter. To report a problem where the criminal is no longer present, keep a link to the Police’s Twitter account where you can direct message the police and even send one picture to accompany your report . Go to @MetCC, press the envelope at the top, under the picture and a message window will open. At the bottom right of the screen you’ll see the entry form for your report. You will be getting a crime reference and local police will be alerted.
• Ring 101, which can take a long time to get answered.
• See other reporting solutions using this link

• Crime Prevention
• Neighbourhood Watch
• Patrols