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In a world where many see London as a city of opportunity and safety, DJ Lippy’s tweet has started a bigger conversation about urban safety. Lippy’s growing unease with commuting through the city, especially in areas that were once considered ‘safe’ has raised big questions about how the homeless and suspicious behavior affects people’s sense of security.
What’s happening on London’s streets and why do even the richest areas feel so scary? DJ Lippy’s honest thoughts give us a glimpse into a bigger problem that’s affecting more and more Londoners. We dig into the complex layers of urban safety, looking at the tension between perception of safety, economic inequality, and personal vulnerability in modern cities.
DJ Lippy’s Frustration: Feeling Unsafe in the Heart of London
On January 11th DJ Lippy tweeted this:
I'm starting to feel unsafe in London. When I finish work there are loads of tramps and dodgy men hanging around my workplace. How long before I'm attacked? Before I start to limit how far I am willing to travel outside my neighbourhood for work? Ironically enough it is the more…
— DJ Lippy (@terfasaurus) January 11, 2025
With 83k views and 1.2K interactions, the tweet shows a big contradiction. London’s poshest areas have always been seen as a haven of wealth and safety and Lippy’s experience shows how our perception of safety is shaped by more than just economics. This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s a widespread and often ignored societal trend.
The Struggle Between Perception and Reality
Lippy’s comments show how many Londoners (especially women) feel. Other Twitter users chimed in, sharing similar feelings. Feeling unsafe in areas that are “safe” like Knightsbridge or Hampstead is becoming more and more common. Kat (@KatBathoryTERF) told Lippy to trust her instincts but also warned of the limitations of self-defense:
I know you aren’t allowed to have guns but are you legally allowed to carry mace and or a knife?
— Kat (@KatBathoryTERF) January 12, 2025
If you feel unsafe now I would start looking to relocate. If your gut is telling you to leave then leave.
The stress of moving lasts for the duration of the move. The stress of…
But Lippy replied:
No were not. Carrying a knife carries a potential 5 year sentence. If I maced a potential rapist I would face charges. We are supposed to trust the law. Get attacked then allow the law to take its course. One in which men who kill can face as little as 18 months in prison. pic.twitter.com/XgMCArpMKy
— DJ Lippy (@terfasaurus) January 12, 2025
The laws around self-defense, especially in urban areas, are a hot topic. For many the fear of being attacked is compounded by the fact they are restricted in how they can defend themselves. But the bigger issue isn’t just about personal safety—it’s also about how the government and local authorities manage crime, homelessness, and substance abuse.
The Socioeconomic Paradox of Safety
What makes Lippy’s tweet more interesting is the irony—the poshest areas of London feel the most unsafe. This isn’t just anecdotal. Research into crime and public safety has shown that our perception of safety in urban areas isn’t just based on actual crime rates but also on how we feel about the environment around us.
The higher concentration of wealth in affluent areas attracts people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds which can create tension. In this case, Lippy’s reference to “dodgy men” and “tramps” shows a growing concern about the visibility of homelessness and mental health in even the most privileged parts of the city.
Sinistral (@Sinistral7) noted the bigger picture:
The thing is it's going to be everywhere eventually because it's by design, so no point in relocating really. They want us all begging for digital ID. They are already building a facial recognition database of us all as we speak & people are saying nothing
— Sinistral (@Sinistral7) January 12, 2025
Sinistral’s comment highlights the idea that these issues (homelessness, crime, surveillance) are symptoms of bigger system failures not individual problems that can be solved by moving to a wealthier area.
The Risk of Relocation
For many like Kalamity (@KalamityKill) the fear of being “attacked” or feeling unsafe in the evening is a growing reality. Kalamity replied to Lippy:
I know what you mean. When I was young I’d get the night bus from trafalger square after clubbing now I hate going out in the evenings esp in the winter.
— Kalamity (@KalamityKill) January 11, 2025
This is a trend where younger generations are feeling more and more vulnerable in public spaces as crime rates and cost of living increase. Interestingly this fear isn’t limited to one demographic. Several other users such as DoryGenderAtheist (@NewFifeRight14) said the same about how the youth’s perception of safety has changed in recent years.
My daughter has been happy in London for 5 yrs until her front door was kicked in and her partners van broken into within 6 weeks of each other. Add to that the gangs of young immigrant men who hang about smoking joints and harass women as they pass, and she’s planning on leaving…
— DoryGenderAtheist (@NewFifeRight14) January 11, 2025
As cities across the UK face rising homelessness, poverty, and mental health crises Lippy’s call to relocate seems to be an attempt to escape these underlying problems—ironically often to places where safety isn’t guaranteed.
Safety in the Suburbs vs. The City
The idea of relocating to less affluent areas has become a real option for many, with some like Maggie Greer (@Maggie_Shhh) saying:
This is so sad. I used to love living in London and hate what it has become.
— Maggie Greer (@Maggie_Shhh) January 11, 2025
But others point out this is just an illusion. Lydia Teapots (@LydiaTeapots) said:
I’m out in the burbs here and it’s horrible. Creepy, dirty looking men everywhere in the town centre. Pickpockets, beggars and thieves.
— Lydia Teapots (@LydiaTeapots) January 11, 2025
So where can you go to escape the tension between public safety, socioeconomic issues, and personal security? Is moving away really a solution or just a temporary fix?
What Does This All Mean?
Lippy’s tweet and the comments that followed are part of a bigger conversation about urban safety and the feeling of losing control. London is full of wealth, culture, and opportunity but the visibility of homelessness and the growing fear of violence or harassment is a bigger question about how these cities are being run.
The paradox of feeling unsafe in affluent areas is telling: urban safety is shaped more by perceptions and systemic gaps than by socioeconomic status. It’s not just about how wealthy or poor an area is, it’s about trust in the system, mental health crises, and economic inequality.
As Claire (@Claireyalli) said:
I’ve never seen a homeless person attack anyone – they are far more vulnerable than you are
— Claire (@Claireyalli) January 11, 2025
For some this may be true. But for many it’s more complicated. Those who experience harassment or threats daily see the problem through a different lens—one shaped by their gender, economic status and personal experiences.
As London deals with these issues the one thing is clear: the feeling of being unsafe in one of the world’s greatest cities can no longer be ignored.
A City in Trouble or Just of its Times?
Lippy’s tweet points to a bigger issue: urban safety isn’t just about crime stats—it’s about the anxiety of everyday life in our cities. London used to be safe in affluent areas, but now it feels dangerous, especially as homelessness and mental health crises collide with rising crime.
The comments on this tweet show a big change in how we see safety. In many cases wealth and location don’t mean safety. So is moving the answer or should cities be reimagined to put community safety and trust above fear?
So let’s re-design our spaces to face up to the bigger societal problems and build places where everyone can feel safe.
Last Updated on by Saket Kumar