It's a Jungle Out There

All ye Americans who dare enter olde Europe be warned… tis a dangerous place of violence and death…

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_uk.html

"U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

This information is current as of today, Fri, 14 Oct 2005 14:44:50 GMT-0400.

United Kingdom

August 3, 2005

This public announcement is issued to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns in the United Kingdom. This public announcement expires on November 3, 2005.

National and local authorities in the United Kingdom continue their investigations of the London bombings on July 7 and the attempted bombings on July 21. The London Metropolitan Police made several arrests, but also stated “the threat remains, and is very real.” The police have increased their uniform and undercover presence on the London public transportation system.

U.S. citizens are advised to maintain a high level of vigilance, take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness, and exercise caution in public places or while using public transportation. U.S. citizens are also advised to fully cooperate with British authorities if and as needed while they continue their investigations.

U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for further terrorist actions against U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Terrorist actions may include bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings and assassinations. Increased security at official U.S. facilities may lead terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas and apartment complexes, and public areas where people congregate including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and shopping areas. U.S. citizens are advised to immediately report any unusual or suspicious activity in the United Kingdom to the police or the U.S. Embassy in London.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in the United Kingdom are encouraged to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within the United Kingdom. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in London and enroll in the warden system (emergency alert network) to obtain updated information on travel and security in the United Kingdom.

Embassy communications with the resident American citizen community, or “Warden Messages,” can be found on the Embassy’s website at http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/warden_messages/index.html. U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s latest Consular Information Sheet for the United Kingdom and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov.

The U.S. Embassy in London can be reached at (020) 7499-9000 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. local time. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, and 1-202-501-4444 from overseas. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays)."

Good to see nobody is fear-mongering! I think it would be more prudent to caution tourists about crossing the road or drinking foreign tap water, which are both more realistic concerns!