Security in London

For information only. This guide is an editorial orientation resource. It does not constitute security advice and does not replace the guidance of your mission’s security officer or your sending organisation. Security situations change; the information here reflects publicly available sources as of the reviewed date. Always follow your mission’s current security procedures.

Overview

London is a well-policed city with an extensive counterterrorism infrastructure, but it operates under a SEVERE terrorism threat level, meaning a terrorist attack is assessed as highly likely. That level was raised from SUBSTANTIAL on 1 May 2026, following the Golders Green attack of 29 April 2026. For diplomatic and international organisation staff, the security environment warrants ongoing awareness rather than alarm. The Metropolitan Police Diplomatic Protection Group provides a dedicated layer of support specific to the mission community.

The terrorism threat level

The UK’s terrorism threat level is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) and published by MI5. The five-point scale runs from Low to Critical. SEVERE means an attack is highly likely.

The national threat level has stood at SEVERE since 1 May 2026. According to MI5’s statement at the time of the increase, the threat is characterised by:

• A significant volume, breadth and complexity of terrorist incidents across multiple ideologies
• A rise in both Islamist terrorism and Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism (ERWT) from individuals and small groups
• A sustained and significant level of state-linked threats, particularly targeting Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions
• Attack planning using simpler, faster methods that are harder to detect than earlier coordinated attacks

JTAC reviews the threat level regularly; it does not have a fixed expiry date and can change at any time.

The Golders Green attack (April 2026)

On 29 April 2026, a terrorist attack took place in Golders Green, north-west London. The attack prompted the immediate raising of the national terrorism threat level from SUBSTANTIAL to SEVERE. MI5 noted that the increase was not solely a result of this single incident, but reflected a gradual and sustained increase in terrorist threats in the UK across multiple ideologies.

The attack is the most significant terrorist incident in London since the attacks of 7 July 2005. Diplomatic staff should consult their mission’s security officer for any specific guidance issued in the aftermath of this event.

The Diplomatic Protection Group

The Metropolitan Police Diplomatic Protection Group (DPG) is a specialist unit responsible for the physical protection of diplomatic premises and accredited personnel in London. It maintains a central index of privileged persons, which is consulted by police forces across the UK to verify diplomatic status in any contact with law enforcement.

The DPG is the relevant contact point for security matters at or related to diplomatic premises. Your mission’s security officer or administrative office holds the current contact details. The DPG also coordinates with the FCDO Protocol Directorate on matters affecting the diplomatic community.

Martyn’s Law

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It places a legal duty on operators of qualifying premises and events to take proportionate steps to protect the public from terrorist attacks:

• Standard duty: premises where at least 200 people are reasonably expected to be present. Operators must consider how they would respond to an attack and take preparatory steps.
• Enhanced duty: premises or events with an expected capacity of 800 or more. Operators must also take steps to reduce vulnerability.

This legislation is relevant to mission staff who manage or use large event spaces, representative residences used for public functions, or premises that regularly receive significant numbers of visitors.

Everyday crime

Violent crime in London is unevenly distributed. The areas in which most diplomatic and international organisation staff live and work, including Kensington, Belgravia, St John’s Wood, Hampstead and Richmond, have consistently low violent crime rates. The risk profile relevant to diplomatic families is primarily:

Opportunistic theft. Pickpocketing and bag theft are concentrated in high-footfall tourist and transport areas: Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, the areas immediately around major stations (Victoria, Waterloo, King’s Cross, Paddington), and the London Eye and South Bank promenade. Standard awareness applies.

Knife crime. London’s knife crime rate, while elevated relative to many European capitals, is concentrated in specific areas of east and south-east London that are not the residential or working areas of most diplomatic families. The risk is substantially lower in the areas where diplomatic staff typically live.

Vehicle crime. Theft of and from vehicles occurs in all areas of London. Do not leave documents, passes or valuables visible inside a parked vehicle. Diplomatically-registered vehicles attract attention; follow your mission’s guidance on parking and vehicle security.

Areas most relevant to diplomatic postings

Most bilateral embassies in London are concentrated in SW1 (Belgravia, Westminster) and W8 (Kensington). These areas are among the most policed in the city, with significant overt and covert security presence around diplomatic premises. The Commonwealth Secretariat is in Marlborough House, SW1. The IMO headquarters is in Albert Embankment, SE1.

Residential areas most commonly used by diplomatic families, including Kensington, Notting Hill, Hampstead, St John’s Wood, Richmond and Wimbledon, have generally low everyday crime rates and benefit from active local policing.

Emergency contacts in the UK

To report suspicious activity that does not require an immediate response, use the Anti-Terrorist Hotline or the online report form at ProtectUK.

Official sources

• MI5: UK National Terrorism Threat Level
• MI5: Threat level raised to SEVERE (1 May 2026)
• ProtectUK: Terrorism threat levels
• Metropolitan Police: Current threat level in the UK
• Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn’s Law)
• FCDO: UK Travel Advice
• US State Department: United Kingdom Travel Advisory

Last reviewed 6 July 2026.