In comparison to most cities in the United States, London is a very safe city. However, it is still a city and therefore it is important to always have your wits about you.

Here are a few things that if followed should increase your safety levels while in London.

1. Be careful at ATM machines: If you are traveling with another person it is a good idea to have them shield you when you type in your pin number. If you are on your own just be aware of people around you and make sure you put your card away safely. There has been a scam running in some areas of the city where one criminal looks over your shoulder and makes a note of your pin number and his buddy down the road then watches where you put your card and steals it. Just keep your head up.

2. Black Cabs vs Mini Cabs: You won't be in London long before you see minicab offices. In London there are two different kinds of cabs. The most famous are the black cabs and the others are minicabs. Mini cabs are just people with cars that work through an agency. The attraction of a minicab is that they can be cheaper. However, they are not required to be licensed, unlike black cabs, and are not required to pass 'the knowledge' which proves they know their way around the city.

If you do take a minicab make sure you get the price to your destination before you get into the cab. Black cabs run on a meter but there should be a a clearly visible fare structure in the cab. Minicabs are not allowed to solicit business. In other words, you have to actively call them or go to their office to order one. Black cabs, of course, can roam the city looking for business. Often in the early hours rouge minicabs will go out looking for business. Do not get in one of these cabs regardless of how good a deal it sounds. If they will break the law once who is to say they are safe?

3.Walk, Don't walk: Watch the walk and don't walk signs and take them as gospel. So many people don't pay attention to them and end up regretting it. London is a busy city with far too much traffic for the roads. This often means that it seems that cars would rather hit you than be late. Also remember that because they drive on the left side of the road they are also coming at you in the opposite direction as in the United States or Canada.

4. Oxford Street and Pickpockets: Oxford Street is one of the most popular shopping streets in the world. Unfortunately it is also the favourite haunt of pickpockets. It is by no means the only area of London where there are pickpockets but it is one of the most prevalent. Know at all times where your bag is on your body. If you have to have a bag on your back make sure every zipper is zipped and that there isn't anything of any huge importance in the outside pockets.

5. Don't look like a tourist: There is nothing wrong with being a tourist. However, we have to keep in mind that tourists are particularly attractive to thieves. Keeping that in mind while on the streets of London is very important. This means not opening a map on a street corner, not giving your camera to a stranger to take a photo of yourself and other things that will draw attention to yourself.

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