London

Grenada

Bhutan

Kosovo

Malawi

Andorra

Congo (Democratic Rep)

Bahamas

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent/Grenadines

Sierra Leone

Swaziland

Sweden

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

United Arab Emirates

Offering for a trial period free wi-fi internet access.

Offers free internet access throughout the library with registration.

Offers free unencrypted wi-fi throughout the building without registration.

Another good place for free wi-fi would be McDonald's, where free 24-hour period wi-fi are offered to customers. Starbucks offers free wi-fi for customers registering their prepaid Starbucks Card. Furthermore, Pret-A-Manger franchises offer free internet without a login.

The UK's National Health Service NHS will provide emergency treatment for anyone in the UK, irrespective of whether they reside in the UK. In a medical emergency, dial 999 or 112. These numbers are free of charge from any telephone. For advice on non-emergency medical problems, you can ring the 24 hour NHS Direct service on 0845 4647.

Emergencies can be dealt with under the NHS system at any hospital with an A & E Accident & Emergency department. At A & E departments, be prepared to wait for up to 2-3 hours during busy periods before being given treatment if your medical complaint is not too serious.

Major A & E hospitals in London are:

Central Middlesex Hospital

Charing Cross Hospital

Chelsea & Westminster Hospital

Greenwich District Hospital

Guy's Hospital

Homerton University Hospital

King's College Hospital

Lewisham Hospital

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Queen Mary's Hospital

Royal Free Hospital

The Royal London Hospital

St. Marys NHS Trust

St. Thomas' Hospital

University College London Hospitals NHS Trust

Whittington Hospital

For advice on minor ailments and non-prescription drugs, consult a high street pharmacist.

London is also home to some of the most renowned and most expensive private medical treatment facilities. Most notable of all are probably the host of private consultants and surgeons on Harley St in Marylebone.

crime

Like many big cities, London has a variety of social problems, especially begging, drug abuse and theft mobile phones are a favourite, often snatched by fast-moving cyclists.

London has the oldest police force in the world, The Metropolitan Police Service (http://met.police.uk/), and on the whole, London is a safe place to visit and explore. Alongside the regular Police, there are over 4,000 Police Community Support Officers PCSOs that provide a highly visible presence on the streets and are able to deal with low-level crime. Normal precautions for the safe keeping of your personal possessions, as you would in any other city, are suggested.

Crime mapping has been launched in London allowing residents and visitors to see the level of recorded crime for different areas (http://maps.met.police.uk/).

If you're planning to go out late at night and are worried about safety, frequent crowded areas such as the West End. There are always plenty of people on the street, even at 4AM. Generally, outside central London, the South, and East suburban areas are considered more dangerous, notably Brixton, Peckham and Hackney, although some parts of North-West London such as Harlesden and northern Camden are also known trouble spots.

The main problem right throughout London to various degrees is drunken behaviour, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights and after football matches. Loud and rowdy behaviour is to be expected and fights and acts of aggression also occur. If you are harassed, it is best to simply ignore and walk away from those concerned. Trouble spots can be expected around popular drinking locations such as Soho and in various suburban centres.

Every night, Soho presents a particular danger: the "clip joint". The usual targets of these establishments are lone male tourists. Usually, an attractive woman will casually befriend the victim and recommend a local bar or even a club that has a "show". The establishment will be near-desolate, and, even if the victim has only a drink or two, the bill will run to hundreds of pounds. If payment is not immediately provided, the bouncers will lock the "patrons" inside and take it by force or take them to an ATM and stand over them while they extract the cash.

To be safe, if a woman you just met suggests you a place, try to recommend a different bar. If she insists on hers then walk away and do not listen to her suggestions. Sometimes this con trick takes place when someone is lured into a private club with the promise of something perhaps more than a drink like a 'private show' or sex for a small amount of money. A 'hostess fee' will appear on the bill for several hundred pounds, even though there has been nothing more than polite conversation.

The Metropolitan Police have placed significant resources in combating street level crime. Working in conjunction with borough councils, they have been able to bring the level of theft and pickpocketing in major retail areas in London to a level that is manageable. A particular problem is 'snatch' thefts, typically of mobile phones. Be careful using a smartphone as you get off the tube, or in subways.

Street gang culture is a growing problem in London as with many other cities in England. While most groups of youngsters are not likely to present any danger to tourists, some people feel the need to be slightly more vigilant in certain areas, especially certain outer suburbs.

If anyone offers you a free "stress test", they are likely trying to recruit you into the Church of Scientology. The best option is to walk away or just say "No thank you" politely, as people are commonly harassed into giving personal details.

Scams/Con Artists

London has a large number of con artists around, all trying to convince you to hand over your money one way or another. In a well-known scam, an older gentleman will ask you for directions, convincing you that he thought you were English. This scam has been used for over ten years.

Other popular scams are a man in a suit asking for emergency money for the phone seen in Shoreditch many times. Also a man with a very convincing fake gash on his arm - asking for money to get to hospital strangely refusing the offer of calling an ambulance.

One of the most popular scams in London, is the ticket machine scam, when, while buying a ticket at a train station someone will approach you and act as if they want to help you buy the right ticket. In reality they will wait until your money is in the machine, then lean across, cancel the transaction and pocket your cash.

transport

Don't take illegal minicabs see Get around for details.

Travelling on lower deck of a night bus is generally safer, as there are more passengers around, and you are visible by the bus driver.

If you have been the victim of crime on the railways or the London Underground, you should report the crime as soon as possible to the British Transport Police, who have an office in most major train and tube stations. Elsewhere, you should report your crime as normal to the Metropolitan Police.