Is it safe to travel to the UK these days?

Several countries have issued travel alerts to their citizens due to ongoing anti-immigration and Islamophobic protests and riots in the UK. To date, five countries have sent out alerts, advising their nationals living in or visiting the UK to remain vigilant.

Violence has broken out in several cities in England and Northern Ireland after the murder of three young girls in Southport on July 29. False information on the identity of the perpetrator has been circulating online, fueling unrest. Nearly 400 people have been arrested.

There is “an increased risk of violence and disorder” in UK

India has become the latest of the five countries to caution its citizens travelling to the UK. The High Commission of India in London has advised visitors to stay alert during the chaotic period, saying they are “closely monitoring” the situation.

In a similar message, Australia is advising travellers to avoid areas that have been seeing demonstrations due to the potential for disruption and violence, urging people to “monitor the media for information and updates.”

The Foreign Ministry of Nigeria has issued a travel alert too, highlighting that there is “an increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the UK,” noting that “the violence has assumed dangerous proportions.”

Malaysia and Indonesia ask their nationals to remain vigilant

On Sunday, the High Commission of Malaysia in London urging Malaysians residing in or travelling to the UK to avoid protest areas, remain vigilant and take a note of the latest updates and guidance provided by local authorities.

In a similar alert, the Indonesian Embassy in London advised its nationals in the UK to avoid large gatherings and increase their vigilance. Such messages by different countries highlight the deepening crisis engulfing different British cities these days.