Taking my 5yr old daughter to London. Riots. Should I or shouldn't I?

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myhorsefred

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Hi everyone,

I have booked tickets to take my little girl to London in two weeks time to see the wedding dress display at Buckingham Palace and also to see the Wizard of Oz. And to have a look around the household cavalry (my favourite bit!)

Anyway, with the riots etc, would you take a 5yr old on a sightseeing trip? We will be in central/tourist parts of london. Don't know what to do.

Would you cancel?
thanks!
 
I would wait until a bit nearer the time...! But if its still as bad as this I wouldnt be going anywhere near.
 
I am meant to be going to see the War Horse this weekend and am hoping they will have control again by then.

I can't imagine it going on for another 2 weeks (or don't want to imagine that!).
 
Two weeks is a long time away. Assess the situation then.

TBH I wouldn't go if the situation remains as volatile as it is now. It seems they only come out at night, but I was at St Albans Station yesterday evening, and it was intimidating, because I had to walk past a group of hooded, black youths, who were texting and bragging about where they should meet for the nearest riot.
I felt sick to my stomache.
 
By then you should be fine but wait and see.

Right now it isnt affecting central London so much so we are hoping it is contained and stamped out. From my office in the city i can see views of towers of smoke from last night - horrible
 
Geez, this is just what the 'mob' want.. normal folk shaking in their boots. Have several friends who commuted in from Kent today, no issues, apart from every day working hassles! IF the police continue to waft around and avoid the action I am sure that the Army will be called upon to instill a bit of control. This is more a case of organised theft (looting) by those people who feel disenfranchised from society. I absolutely do not support them and have my own views about their cultures but at the end of the day, they would be no match for correctly trained and armed forces.
I speak from some experience out of the UK, but the Law must be upheld and if serious force has to be used so be it. Most just seem to be common thieves, but will it spread to Surbiton or even.... Godalming??????
 
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Dovorian said:
Geez, this is just what the 'mob' want.. normal folk shaking in their boots. Have several friends who commuted in from Kent today, no issues, apart from every day working hassles! IF the police continue to waft around and avoid the action I am sure that the Army will be called upon to instill a bit of control. This is more a case of organised theft (looting) by those people who feel disenfranchised from society. I absolutely do not support them and have my own views about their cultures but at the end of the day, they would be no match for correctly trained and armed forces.
I speak from some experience out of the UK, but the Law must be upheld and if serious force has to be used so be it. Most just seem to be common thieves, but will it spread to Surbiton or even.... Godalming??????
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Kingston/Surbiton aren't expecting trouble tonight, all boys in blue are being extra vigilant and from the lad's I've spoken today are expecting a normal Tuesday night!

As for Godalming why would they? Can't remember there being many of the shops they seem to be targeting there
 
Dovorian said:
Geez, this is just what the 'mob' want.. normal folk shaking in their boots. Have several friends who commuted in from Kent today, no issues, apart from every day working hassles! IF the police continue to waft around and avoid the action I am sure that the Army will be called upon to instill a bit of control. This is more a case of organised theft (looting) by those people who feel disenfranchised from society. I absolutely do not support them and have my own views about their cultures but at the end of the day, they would be no match for correctly trained and armed forces.
I speak from some experience out of the UK, but the Law must be upheld and if serious force has to be used so be it. Most just seem to be common thieves, but will it spread to Surbiton or even.... Godalming??????
Click to expand...


If I was going on my own I wouldn't worry and I wouldn't let the 'mob' stop me. When you have a 5yr old little girl to think about, it does make you consider things a bit more.
 
myhorsefred said:
Thanks everyone. I will just see what its like closer to the time.
thanks
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You should be fine. I'd only be worried if there was severe trouble in central London, which there isn't. Its mainly a bit further out. My 12yo is travelling into north London every day this week (for a course) & she hasn't had any issues so far.
 
you can guarantee the area around Buckingham Palace, The Mall etc will be safely monitored by the police - also the Horse Guards are armed, I don't think the chicken shite rioters would dare go near them. Also, they will keep the West End well policed. the issue you need to think about is transport getting there. Don't go to Kings Cross etc for example as it is too easily fouled up by trouble down the line, same goes obviously for Clapham Junction at the moment.

i think once they get beaten with a few batons, tasered and hit with plastic bullets and dogs teeth, the rioting may stop. The police just need more numbers on the streets, as they have tonight and also to be much harsher with their response.
 
LynneB said:
you can guarantee the area around Buckingham Palace, The Mall etc will be safely monitored by the police - also the Horse Guards are armed, I don't think the chicken shite rioters would dare go near them. Also, they will keep the West End well policed. the issue you need to think about is transport getting there. Don't go to Kings Cross etc for example as it is too easily fouled up by trouble down the line, same goes obviously for Clapham Junction at the moment.

i think once they get beaten with a few batons, tasered and hit with plastic bullets and dogs teeth, the rioting may stop. The police just need more numbers on the streets, as they have tonight and also to be much harsher with their response.
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This!!!

Would be VERY interesting seeing the yobs approach the palace or the barracks....couldn't see the army guys stepping back and letting them through....
 
We have cancelled a trip to London tomorrow with my 5 year old grandaughter. Might be Ok in Central London but you dont know who you are going to meet on the tube.
 
I would have thought in 2 weeks time (you'd hope) things will be fine. If not then we have a serious problem. It's making me very angry and I don't even live in london but the fact these brainless idiots are causing this much havoc is disgraceful. Wahts makes it worse is that so far evry single one they have 'interviewed' on TV has NO clue why they are there!! One even decided it was a racial issue and blamed it on the police not liking black or asian people!! WTF?!!

What is wrong with this country?!!

Anyway, off topic - one would hope order is restored before your trip. Certainly things should be ok by Sept anyway. Well, they'll be back at school then!!!
 
Central London does seem to be pretty ok at moment, mainly on outskirts that the problems are. You would hope that in a few weeks time we might have some normality restored (I hope so anyway!) so I'd sit tight for now and see what happens. You can always cancel nearer time if you need to
 
I work in central London and live in north London and all has been fine. Even the northern line which goes through some of the troubled areas has been running well - and the northern line normally needs no excuse to have a break down.

As others have commented, I'd sit tight you can always cancel nearer the time if needs be, but I'd have no worries about coming to central London. I think the media does make it sound like the entire capital is under attack (which is what the rioters want) - rather than particular areas.

Good luck and enjoy your trip to what is a fabulous city (said by one who'd rather be in the countryside any day!)
 
Currently working mid-week in London, St Paul's area and staying over near Stockwell :eek:. I can report that all is calm and people are getting on with their business, although lots of people did leave work early yesterday as a precaution.
Lots of Police out on the streets in St Pauls at lunchtime today. No trouble on the tube Northern Line, everything fine at Stockwell which is right next door to Brixton :eek:
Lots and lots of tourists out and about today, so thankfully they haven't been put off by the criminal few!
 
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