Emergency Numbers in London

Essential Emergency Contact Numbers for London

When traveling to London, it’s crucial to be prepared for any emergencies that might arise. This guide provides you with essential emergency contact numbers, embassy and consulate information, major hospitals, and non-emergency useful numbers to ensure your safety and peace of mind during your visit.

Emergency Services

Police, Ambulance, and Fire Department

In the event of an emergency, you can reach all emergency services in London by dialing 999. This number connects you to the police, ambulance, and fire department.

Police
- Emergency Number: 999
- Non-Emergency Number: 101
- What to Say: Clearly state your emergency, provide your location, and describe the situation.
Ambulance
- Emergency Number: 999
- What to Say: Provide your location and symptoms or the nature of the medical emergency.
Fire Department
- Emergency Number: 999
- What to Say: State that it’s a fire emergency and give your location.

Poison Control

National Poisons Information Service
- Phone Number: 111 (This number can also help with non-emergency medical advice)
- What to Say: Provide details about the substance ingested and any symptoms.

Tourist Police

Tourist Police (Metropolitan Police Service)
- Phone Number: 020 7230 1212
- What to Say: If you feel unsafe or have been a victim of crime, explain your situation clearly.

Embassy and Consulate Contacts

If you need assistance from your home country, here’s a list of major embassies and consulates in London:

United States Embassy

Address: 33 Nine Elms Ln, London SW11 7US
Phone Number: +44 20 7499 9000

Canadian High Commission

Address: 38 Grosvenor St, London W1K 4AA
Phone Number: +44 20 7004 6000

Australian High Commission

Address: Strand, London WC2B 4LA
Phone Number: +44 20 7379 4334

Indian High Commission

Address: 17-19 Aldwych, London WC2B 4NA
Phone Number: +44 20 7836 8484

Chinese Embassy

Address: 49-51 Portland Pl, London W1B 1JL
Phone Number: +44 20 7299 4049

General Tips for Contacting Embassies

When reaching out to an embassy, be prepared to provide:

Your full name
Passport number
A clear description of your situation

Major Hospitals and Urgent Care Centers

In case of a medical emergency, here are some of London’s major hospitals and urgent care centers:

St Thomas’ Hospital

Address: Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH
Phone Number: +44 20 7188 7188
Services: 24/7 Accident & Emergency

Guy’s Hospital

Address: Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT
Phone Number: +44 20 7188 7188
Services: 24/7 Accident & Emergency

Royal London Hospital

Address: Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1BB
Phone Number: +44 20 7377 7000
Services: 24/7 Accident & Emergency

Urgent Care Centers

The Walk-in Centre at St. Charles Hospital
- Address: Exmoor St, London W10 6DZ
- Phone Number: +44 20 8962 4000
- Hours: Open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM

Calling Information

Area Codes

Emergency Services: Dial 999 for emergencies.
London Area Code: 020 (for local calls within London)
International Dialing: To call the UK from abroad, dial your country’s international access code (e.g., 011 from the USA) followed by the UK country code 44 and then the local number without the leading zero.

Language

English is the primary language spoken in London, and most emergency services are equipped to handle calls in English.

What to Say

When calling any emergency service or hospital:

State the emergency clearly.
Provide your location.
Describe the situation briefly.
Stay calm and answer any questions asked.

Non-Emergency Useful Numbers

Taxi Services

Black Cabs: Dial 0343 100 2000 (London Taxi Federation)
Uber: Use the app available for download on your smartphone.

Roadside Assistance

AA (Automobile Association): 0800 88 77 66
RAC (Royal Automobile Club): 0330 159 1111

Tourist Information

London Visitor Centre
- Address: 1 Piccadilly, London W1J 0DA
- Phone Number: +44 20 7871 2000
- Hours: Open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM

Conclusion

Being prepared with essential contact numbers and local information can make a significant difference in an emergency situation while traveling in London. Keep this guide handy, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you need it. Stay safe and enjoy your time in this vibrant city!