BrettC

Hi All

Im taking the girlfriend to Amsterdam soon and she has recently been talking to someone who has been within the last year and she was told several horror stories regarding personal safety. Street violence, mugging, junkies that sort of thing?

I have been several times (used to live in holland) but this was about 15 years ago.

Has it really got this bad?

When I was last there it seemed to me to be safer than London but is this no longer the case.

Cheers

Brett

andy1505

Wife and I went last Feb, we were careful but had no probs walking around til the early hours.

BrettC

OK, so maybe there is an increased risk since I was last there, but so long as you use common sense.

Thanks.

Buzzer

Brett

I did mention in a thread a while ago that last year when i went with the missus, we felt a little more "insecure" than in previous years.

It could be that because we've been a good few times over the last few years, we were getting a bit bolder about where we walked. It did seem that there were a lot more "gangs" hangin around..................... nothing happened but when 15 blokes on a street corner start all looking at you at the same time its a little un-nerving.

In saying that, it wouldn't put me off going again................... in March hopefully

BrettC

Thanks buzzer.

If i was going as a group i probably wouldnt have asked the question but this time its just me and the mrs so i dont want our visit to holland ruined because of something nasty.

I guess just stick to the regular places and all should be fine.

cheers

I guess everyone now thinks im a 9 stone weakling being worried about this?!
I am!!!

Jye

I had an attempted pick pocket in the Dam once. One guy came up to me face on and started rabbiting about 'where did I come from' while the other one tried to steal a folded up streetmap from my back pocket

I'm no soft touch but it shocked me at the time as there were so many other people about. Doesnt stop me going back and it's the only time I've ever had trouble

GaryCat

Paris is just as bad. Someone tried to slit open the bottom of my wife's rucksack-style handbag while we were on the metro. All cities are the same, you just have to keep your wits about you.

Nicks VR4

Use to go there a lot work wise a few years ago 32 times all in all

Yeah did now the area quiet well

Seemed ok for ages then started getting pi$$ heads tramps etc asking for money
Or Students asking for fair back home coz they couldn't get a job

Did get offered some white powder from some guys must have been talc
Kept saying NO NO NO didnt listen
Local police came round the corner on some very big horses these guys just disappeared vey fast
Police guy asked if i was ok which was cool
Just said yeah no problem
He asked what I was doing etc and wished me a good night

Stay on the main streets and don't take short cuts through Alley's

Depending on the time of year can be different too summer is busy winter slows down a bit

BrettC

Thanks guys.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Watch out for a Scoobynetter who is an Immortal Undead trying to nick your bag


(refering to this thread

BrettC

Dazzler

Was mugged a few years ago out there. Wasn't assaulted or anything, but threatened to hand over my money or I'd get stabbed. It was the early hours of the morning, but there were people about.
Didn't see a knife, but the mad look in his eyes convinced me that the money in my wallet wasn't worth keeping in order to call his bluff. Plus, holiday insurance covered most of the loss!

Was unsettling and has made me realise that I wouldn't walk alone around there, esp late at night!

Robert Rosario

Went last March with the missus for the first time. Bit un-nerving at times, but no worse than London, Barcelona or even Norwich late at night. Got offered stuff all the time, which unsettled her a bit, but once you get used to it, and keep your wits about you, no drama. Saw some grief, but this was a group of 18/19 year old english lads wearing hackett/burberry, etc who thought they were down their local, rather than in somebody else's.

BrettC

Thanks everybody for the advice etc

I'm sat at Schipol airport on my way home. Got bored waiting around so messing about on the net.!!! Addicted to SN anyone?

Just to report: No real safety issues, however we were never out really late and only stuck to the touristy bits.....we did keep being asked if we knew some guy called 'Charley' though.

Common sense prevails to keep safe in Amsterdam.

Would definately return just for a laugh and to improve my dutch a bit.

Tot ziens