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General Information & Services
Personal Security In London
London, particularly central London is a safe place to visit, however it is advisable to note the following tipsç
The most common problems in London as with most cities are:-
Pick-pockets.
- They tend to operate wherever there are large crowds of people, for example at underground train platforms and on trains, especially during rush hour periods when passengers are boarding and getting off trains.
Briefcase and hand bag theft.
- Thiefs often grab briefcases and handbags and run off.
Some Tips on safety in London:-
- - at crowded places, keep a tight hold of your briefcase or handbag. Do not leave them open,
- - always keep a hand on and watch your briefcase or handbag at all times,
- - keep a separate record of your travellers cheque serial numbers, and your credit card numbers,
- - keep credit cards and cheque books separate,
- - if possible keep your valuables in an inside pocket or in a body belt,
- - remove yourself or ask for the carbon sheets after a charge/credit card transaction and destroy them,
- - only carry valuables that you need for the day; keep the rest in the hotel deposit box or safe,
- - don't carry all your credit cards with you - leave at least one in the hotel safe. In addition, keep your airline tickets and passport in the hotel safe. If you need identification, take a photocopy of your passport with you.
- - spread the valuables that you do carry over your person; ie have them in different pockets,
- - avoid travelling at night along poorly lit and quite side roads, alleyways or under street walk ways,
- - while driving, keep valuables, bags and briefcases out of sight and reach. If possible keep doors locked and windows closed at all times,
- - on London's streets use only a London Black Taxi which is a taxi that has the orange "TAXI" 2sign on the front, a meter, and white licence number on the back and inside of the taxi; the driver also has a licence badge:
Do not carry and use maize or gas type personal alarms, these are illegal in the UK. Only the audible type of personal alarms are permitted.
In the unlikely event of an incident, go to the nearest telephone box and dial 999 for the Police.
In the City of London, ie the main banking and financial services area of London, the City Police have set up road traffic check points. The Police mostly monitor and check large commercial vehicles which enter the City. Road signs will direct you through the City. Some bus routes are affected, however, British Rail and Underground train services as well as pedestrian routes are unaffected.
For more advice on Crime Prevention in London, call the Metropolitan Police Crime Prevention Department at New Scotland Yard on 0171-230 3984 or 0171-230 3963.
The UK Mail Services
Mail can be sent at post offices and by placing them inside the red cylindrical shaped (and square wall mounted) Royal Mail post boxes.
Stamps can be bought from post offices and many newsagents. Mail can be sent either first or second class. Mail sent first class will reach most destinations within the UK the following day; second class mail within two days of being posted.
Post Offices:
TEL: 0345 223 344
Call this number to find the address of a post office local to you. You will need to tell them which postal area you are located, ie. the first two to four letter(s) and number(s) that appear at the end of all UK addresses, eg "... London, EC1A...." You will then be given the addresses and telephone numbers of the post offices in that area.
There are very many main post offices and sub-post offices in London. Some sub-post offices are located within newsagents and pharmacies.
Most Post Offices are open between 9.00-17.30, Monday-Friday, and 9.00-12.30 on Saturday.
Post Office with long opening hours:
Trafalgar Square Post Office.
TEL: 0171-930 9580
ADDRESS: 24 William IV Street, WC2N 4DL.
TRAVEL: Charing Cross and Leicester Square.
OPEN: 8.00-20.00, Monday-Saturday.
Post Office Services:
In addition to the normal mail services of sending letters and packages, the following are a few Royal Mail services which you may find useful:-
Special Delivery - offers a guaranteed next day delivery by 12.30 to most UK destinations; a signature on delivery is also obtained.
Recorded - provides a certificate of posting as proof that your mail has been posted, and a signature on delivery is also obtained.
Registered - offers a guaranteed next day delivery by 12.30 to most UK destinations; a signature on delivery is also obtained, and compensation for loss or damage is available up to maximum amounts of £500 - £10,000 dependent on whether you use Registered, Registered Plus, or their Consequential Loss service.
Advice on Delivery - this ensures that a signed receipt of delivery is sent back to you when you use either Special Delivery, Recorded or Registered services
Public Telephones
There are two major providers of telephone and telecommunication services, these being British Telecommunications ("BT") and Mercury Communications; BT being the larger of the two.
Dial the following number for BT services:-
123 For the correct UK time.
100 UK Operator; for help making a UK call; making collect (reverse charges) calls to UK numbers; arranging for an alarm (early morning wake up) call; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
155 International Operator; for help making an international call; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; toll free.
192 UK Directory Enquires; for help finding a UK telephone or fax number; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
153 International Directory Enquiries for help finding an international telephone or fax number and International Direct Dial Codes; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
190 To send a telegram/telemessage from London, Birmingham, or Glasgow. To send one from any other part of the UK dial 100.
152 General Enquiries; information on BT products and services; toll free.
0800 282 429 For information about BT's Conference Call service.
0800 378 389 To make a call to a ship.
Public Telephones
Both companies provide public call boxes, although the majority are provided by BT. Full instructions on how to use the telephones are displayed in the call box.
BT call boxes.
These are glass type cubicles with either the word "Telephone" with red markings, or "Phonecard" with green markings, along the top of the cubical.
"Telephone" call boxes accept 10p, 20p, 50p and £1 coins, and some will also accept Access, AmEx, MasterCard and Visa credit and charge cards.
"Phonecard" call boxes do not accept cash. They will only accept pre-paid cards (which are about the size of a credit card) which are obtainable from main Post Offices and most newsagents. Also, some Phonecard boxes will accept Access, AmEx, MasterCard and Visa credit and charge cards. Phonecards are obtainable in £2, £4, £10, and £20 denominations.
Mercury call boxes. 2
These are blue and silver/gray cubicles. Currently, the majority only accept Mercury phonecards (which are similar to BT phonecards), in 50p, £1, £2, £4, £5 and £10 denominations. Additionally, some Mercury call boxes accept Access, AmEx, MasterCard and Visa credit and charge cards. Mercury phonecards are obtainable from British Rail train stations and major newsagents.
Generally both BT and Mercury phonecard call boxes tend to be used less than standard call boxes; often one will be available right next to a standard call box which has a queue of people waiting to use it. If you are likely to use a public call box, having a phonecard could save you having to queue up to make your call, or the need to have change.
Reclaiming VAT on Business Expenditure
There is a 17.5% purchase tax levied on most goods and services purchased in the UK called "Value Added Tax" (VAT). On most receipts this amount is shown separately so that you can clearly see how much VAT you have paid.
The VAT incurred on business expenditure (eg. VAT on hotel expenses, car hire etc) by non-UK business visitors may be reclaimed.
You cannot reclaim VAT on the following :-
- - goods and services used for non-business purposes; however, if they were for both business and non-business use, VAT can be reclaimed on the business element, and
- - all business entertainment/hospitality expenses,
In order to claim, you will need:-
A). originals (not copies) of invoices, receipts or vouchers showing:-
- - an identifying number, eg. a receipt number,
- - the firms name, address and VAT registration number,
- - your name and address,
- - details of the goods or services supplied,
- - the date of purchase,
- - the cost of the goods or services (excluding VAT),
- - the rate of VAT,
- - the amount of VAT charged.
If the value of the goods or services is less than £100 (including VAT) the invoice need only show:-
- - your supplier's name, address and VAT registration number,
- - the date of purchase,
- - details of the goods or services supplied,
- - the cost of the goods or services (including VAT),
- - the rate of VAT.
B). complete and return a claim form. Claim forms are available from most VAT offices (including the VAT office mentioned below) and agents who specialise in reclaiming VAT. The form must be completed in English using block capitals and returned to the VAT office mentioned below or to your agent with the invoices, receipts or vouchers and the appropriate certificate (see below).
Provided your claim is correct, you will receive your refund within 6 months. The refund will normally be made by Payable Order in sterling directly to you (or to your agent) and must be cashed at a UK bank or paid directly into a UK bank account.
The rules and eligibility to claim a VAT refund on business expenses are slightly different dependant on whether you are established in another EC country or are established outside the EC.
You can contact HM Customs & Excise on the below number for advise on any issue relating to reclaiming VAT and for VAT claim forms:-
HM Customs and Excise
VAT Advice Centre,
Dorset House,
Stamford Street, SE1 9PY.
TEL: 0171-202 4227
Visas & Visa Agents
The maximum period a visitor is allowed to stay in the UK is 6 months. In addition, nationals or citizens from some countries (listed below) will need a Visa to come to the UK. If the country you are interested in is not mentioned below, then enquire at your local British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission.
Visas can be obtained from the British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission local to you.
Visa not required.
Nationals or citizens from the following countries do not need a Visa in order to visit the UK.
European Community (EC) countries,
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries,
Australia, Canada, Hungary, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates,USA.
Visa needed.
Nationals or citizens from the following Countries need a Visa before visiting the UK.
Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Korea (North), Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda
In addition, people who hold passports or travel documents issued by the former Soviet Union or by the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia need a visa.
EC Member Countries.
Belgium, Denmark France, Germany , Greece, The Irish Republic, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain.
EFTA Member Countries.
Austria, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland
For more information, contact:-
The British Home Office,
Immigration & Nationality Department.
TEL: 0181-686-0688
ADDRESS: Lunar House, Wellesley Road,Croydon, CR0 2BY.
The Home Office deal with all Visas, work permits and immigration enquiries and applications.
Visa Agents
Thomas Cook Passport & Visa Service.
TEL: 0207-278 9922, FAX: 0207-833 1857.
ADDRESS: 2 Northdown Street, Kings Cross, London, N1 9BG
Thomas Cook can help with Visa applications to any country.
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