Going to London for a week...

[AirForceShooter]

Just remember, no matter where you go in London, You're on Camera.

AFS

 

[HiWayMan]

learn and memorize the address for the American Embassy as well. If bad stuff goes down you will want to get there post haste.

 

[Kurt S.]

JoergS: Yes sir, I recall hearing about that Martin case but not the other ones.

BTW, my Brit friends were fascinated by the fact that I was licensed to carry a concealed weapon here, and that I had a nice little collection of handguns, rifles, and shotguns. They said it was not uncommon for a farmer there to own a shotgun or a "two-two", but that was about it.

Regarding the carrying of small amounts of cash to satisfy a robber, I was given that same advice when I was going to Rio by a "carioca". Seemed sensible enough and I followed it. I'd carry some American dollars, $20 or $30, and some Brazilian Reals, maybe a 100 or so (very favorable exchange rate at the time).

 

[adrians]

i'm leaving today (paddy's day 17th) going to heathrow then up north to yorkshire where i was born and lived the first half of my life.
i always ignore them "londoners" ,,, most are "too posh " for me and my time.

have a wonderfull thursday. adrians

 

[Sulaco]

My wife and I spent 3 days in London on our way back from a trip to Tunisia last November and it was nice but cold. I carried a SAK with me everywhere I went. I was only asked if I had a knife on me once when entering some museum. I lied and said no. They didn't bother checking. We didn't do a whole lot of going inside places, but the ones we did, I had no issues. We used the Tube for all travel, even some later at night and had no problems. My size takes care of most folks ideas of doing us/me harm most of the time.

 

[bcp280z]

As long as you'd being staying out of the limelight/avoiding trouble like normal, it may be somewhat unlawful but I don't see a problem with it. Perhaps laws have changed but I went tdy over there two years ago and carried my little 2.5in Case, didn't clip it to my pocket though. I mean who's going to frisk you for carrying on about your business?

 

[D123]

Two of your cases would have had similar results in a lot of jusridictions (and I can't find much on the third)

In 1987, two men assaulted Eric Butler, a 56-year-old British Petroleum executive, in a London subway car, trying to strangle him and smashing his head against the door. No one came to his aid. He later testified, ''My air supply was being cut off, my eyes became blurred, and I feared for my life.'' In desperation he unsheathed an ornamental sword blade in his walking stick and slashed at one of his attackers, stabbing the man in the stomach. The assailants were charged with wounding. Butler was tried and convicted of carrying an offensive weapon.

Possession of a sword stick is illegal and will get you jail time all over the world (including much of the US), had he used a cane/stick to beat the attacker he would probably have been ok, though the London bobbies are big on "reasonable force", when the bad guy falls to the floor, stop hitting him.

In August 1999, Tony Martin, a 55-year-old Norfolk farmer living alone in a shabby farmhouse, awakened to the sound of breaking glass as two professional burglars burst into his home. He had been robbed six times before but, like 70 percent of rural English villages, his had no police presence. He sneaked downstairs with a shotgun and shot at the intruders. Martin received life in prison for killing one burglar, 10 years for wounding the second, and 12 months for having an illegal shotgun.

He hadn't been robbed, he had been burgled. His problem was that the prosecution showed he hid out and waited for the burglars with an illegal pump action shotgun (only single shot/double barrel shotguns can be licenced amd possessed in the UK). When the burglars arrived, he chased them and then fatally shot the 15 year old in the back and the other in the leg as they tried to run away. Hardly a self defence scenario.

In 1994, an English homeowner, armed with a toy gun, managed to detain two burglars who had broken into his house, while he called the police. When the officers arrived they arrested the homeowner for using an imitation gun to put someone in fear. Parliament is now considering making imitation guns illegal."

couldn't find any info on this one.

UK law is simple, you can't be in public and carry an item for the purpose of self defence, you can, however, use anything to hand (with the reasonable test) if you are attacked. So a walking stick, umbrella etc is fine. In the woods, chances are even an knife would probably be ok. There was a recent case where a homeowner stabbed a burglar to death in his kitchen (so knife to hand) when the burglar attacked him and he was not prosecuted for the death.

As long as your actions are reasonable (to a normal MOP) odds are you won't have a problem.

For defence, (though NEVER admit to it being for defence) would be a good strong walking stick. Anyone can use one unless you look like the type to attract police attention (hint, gang banger or similar looking youth would probably get pulled).

 

[Thomas Kurz]

The law says that you can't carry any item that has the purpose of self defense. So I don't know how a 'tactical pen' might look to the police.

Not very good. But an ordinary pen will do just as well, and be legally safer. See my article Tactical Pen vs. an Ordinary Pencil, or "Pay More for Less".

 

[First4Freedom]

I've lived in London for about ten years, you will be fine if you just keep your wits about you. Pepper or CS sprays are considered firearms in the UK and if you're caught with one the police will charge you similarly. Don't bring them over, I've seen so many come through that the police have confiscated because they're freely available in places like France and Germany and really cheap too, so they get taken back to the UK in luggage and then people get in trouble if they're found with them. I work in forensics in armed criminality, we see this thing and other cool stuff come in the lab all the time. A stout umbrella might not be a bad idea, but London really doesn't rain as much as it's portrayed on the TV, but that being said carrying an umbrella won't draw any attention, Londoners are pretty much too busy to be that bothered Feel free to send me a message if you would like any other info on London (unless this post has expired).

 

[SleazyRider]

Great post. I am off to San Francisco next month on a medical convention and have similar concerns.

 

[Owen Sparks]

See my thread about sticks vs. knives and get yourself a HEAVY walking stick.

 

[Guns and more]

The first time I went to London, I asked my local co-workers what areas of London were not safe.
They all scratched their heads, and said "none".
You'll be surprised how many Non-Brits are in London, (where did all the Brits go?)
but they have a different attitude there. They trust their government, the population is cosmopolitan, and they don't have "ghettos" (that I ever saw.)
Riding the "Tube" is clean and safe.
One caution........don't attempt to drive in London. It's insane.

It's a great city, except you could probably get plutonium easier than ice in your drink. Warm beer? Phut!

 

[First4Freedom]

It's true London doesn't have any specific ghettos, but there are lots of government housing areas which tend to be a bit rowdy. I always joke that us foreigners run London, you'll see if you ever have to ask directions, don't be surprised if the person has a non-UK accent or possibly doesn't speak English at all. The subway systems are easy to ride, but cramped and have no AC, make sure you buy an "oyster" card, you can get a one week pass that covers however many areas you would like and is far cheaper than buying a new ticket everyday. Yeah driving here is nuts, the road systems are insane plus there is a congestion charge levied for merely driving in town! LOL, I've never had warm beer here, it's usually served around 50–57 °F. I usually go to a TGI Fridays and get a Sam Adams instead, much better

 

[CWL]

As has been pointed out to me by a member here, you can fill it halfway with water the night before and freeze it so that you'll always have access to some cold refreshing water in case you get thirsty!

 

[First4Freedom]

Good call CWL, and if you need to, there are loads of small convenience stores with affordable bottled water. It's not Hawaii heat, but at the moment were getting 25C degree weather at the moment so London can still get a little warm - plan your hydration accordingly.

 

[Guns and more]

don't be surprised if the person has a non-UK accent or possibly doesn't speak English at all.

I was always shocked when I would ask a black person for directions, and they spoke exactly like everyone else, no jive. If you closed your eyes you absolutely can't tell the difference.
What would be PC? African-Brit? African-English?

It took us a few trips before we found the good food, usually in a pub.

Our hotel had the "American" breakfast. Eggs fried in 1" of oil, sauteed mushrooms, broiled tomatos, baked beans, and "rashers" (sort of country ham and divine!) Toast MUST be served cold, even to the extent of bringing it on these racks to separate the slices.
Potatoes? Never saw them for breakfast.

I do miss trips to the UK, the people are great. They do think we are a little crazy, but they forgive us.

 

[First4Freedom]

All my black British friends just call themselves British, I've never heard any of them refer to anything else, you'll be fine just calling them British