Travelling alone as a woman in Britain

Getting back at night

In London, Transport for London's advice is to always book your minicab, and its website has a licence checker for private hire drivers, vehicles and operators. ^[1] A minicab that picks you up without a booking is not one you can check. For taxis and buses in other cities, see our local transport guide.

On trains, the Tube and trams, you can text British Transport Police on 61016 about anything suspicious. ^[2] In an emergency, call 999. ^[3]

• Save 999, 101 and 61016 in your phone before you travel. ^{[3] [2]}
• Plan the last train or bus home before you go out, and check our travel status page on the day.
• Choose somewhere to stay near a station or on a lit main road: our area guides list where to stay by neighbourhood.
• Share your live location or plan with someone at home.

Ask for Angela in bars and clubs

Ask for Angela runs in many towns and cities; this description follows Wakefield Council's page. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable on a night out, go to the bar and ask the staff for “Angela”. Trained staff can call you a taxi, give you somewhere safe to wait, help you find your friends, or call security or the police. Taking part is up to each venue, and those that do usually show a sticker. ^[4]

Anyone can use the phrase, whatever their gender. ^[4] The scheme is run area by area, so not every venue takes part; if you see no sticker, ask a member of staff directly.

For how pubs work (ordering at the bar, rounds, closing times) see our pubs guide.

If something happens

1. If you are in danger, call 999. For anything else, call 101 or report online. Calls to both are free. ^[3]
2. After a sexual assault, you do not have to report it to the police to get help. The NHS says you should still get medical care, and a sexual assault referral centre (SARC) can give medical, practical and emotional support and store forensic evidence while you decide. ^[5]
3. Try not to wash or change your clothes straight away if you might report later: this can destroy evidence. ^[5]
4. For urgent medical advice that is not an emergency, call NHS 111. ^[5]

Health care for visitors, including what you may be charged, is explained in our travel insurance and the NHS guide. For a lost passport or stolen cards, see lost passport and cards.

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