The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has advised its citizens to avoid "dangerous areas" in London. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a map highlighting areas around London's upmarket shopping area in the West End and the entertainment district Soho. A ministry statement urged Emiratis to avoid areas, "where pickpocketing, fraud and theft are frequent and where it is not advisable to live". The advice follows several attacks on Emiratis in London earlier this year. In one attack three sisters were badly hurt by a hammer-wielding burglar in their hotel room.

London's police insisted there were no "no-go" areas in London, saying: "There is absolutely nowhere in London which should be avoided." Police say criminal gangs target Emiratis because of their expensive clothes, bags and accessories worth thousands of dollars. London's police said the UAE should educate people on how not to attract the attention of criminals. A statement said: "The UAE should put together its own preventive measures to educate UAE nationals visiting, studying or doing business not only in London, but the rest of Europe and all over the world."