The Russian Embassy in the UK has issued a warning to Russian citizens planning tourist trips to London, urging them to exercise increased caution due to the worsening crime situation in the British capital. The diplomatic agency links the rise in street crime to the economic crisis known as the "cost of living crisis", as well as to the increase in the number of migrants, including illegal ones, which, according to the embassy, ​​creates additional risks for the safety of tourists. 

The embassy's statement emphasized that London has seen a surge in street crime, including theft of personal property, as well as more serious offenses such as knife and acid attacks. These incidents often result in serious injuries and, in some cases, death. The diplomats paid special attention to the growth of drug use in the British capital, which, according to them, increases the danger of being near nightclubs, bars and other entertainment venues where there is a high concentration of people intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. 

The embassy also warns of the growing prevalence of spiking in the UK – the practice of secretly adding drugs to drinks of bar patrons in order to commit crimes against victims in a state of suppressed will. This type of crime, according to British police, is indeed on the rise, as confirmed by statistics from the UK National Health Service (NHS), which show that in 2022-2023 there were more than 6000 cases related to such incidents, which is 30% higher than in previous years. 

Another risk factor that the embassy drew attention to is the growth of social tension in British society, including due to the growth of the Ukrainian diaspora. According to Russian diplomats, individual representatives of this community may display verbal or physical aggression towards Russians, especially if the latter openly demonstrate their nationality, for example, by speaking Russian in public places. Although native Britons, as noted, generally maintain a tolerant attitude towards Russian-speaking tourists, the embassy does not rule out individual incidents on domestic grounds, including possible cases of assault. In this regard, Russians are advised to avoid situations that may draw attention to their citizenship, in particular, to refrain from publicly using the Russian language.