BANKING

If you go with an UK or EU passport and a proof of address to any bank branch you can open a bank account in minutes. Almost every bank in the UK won't require more than those documents to open an account. To get a credit card you will need to be in full time employment.

POLICING

The metropolitan police now have new powers, they can stop and search you if the consider you suspicious. Police officers in London don't normally carry guns unless they are of the Special Forces (and are normally "undercover"). All main tube and train stations will have police officer with sniffing dogs, especially at peak times on the premises.

South London has seen a rise in crime, and there have been companies to refuse to deliver goods in the area, and going out at night might not always be a safe option, especially when alone.

There is a new ban for those under 18 years old. Besides not being able to buy tobacco or alcohol, they are also banned from public drinking. Police can now seize their drinks. This ban means youngsters can legally drink only at home.

CCTV NETWORK

Much of London is now covered by an intricate system of CCTV cameras to which the police have access. These can be speeding cameras, street cameras and even shop cameras (whilst the latter are not required, the police can request the tapes).

Bus

While the bus system serves almost every road of the city, they have been having CCTV implemented on all their units to try to control crime. Sometimes British Transport Police Officers will board the bus and check people's tickets and oyster cards. Drivers have the right to grant leave for people to go in, and can ask you to abandon the bus if you are being disruptive or causing any harm (or possible harm) to fellow passengers.

Oyster cards

These cards are for public transport use such as bus, tube, tram and train tickets. They are made of plastic so you can reuse them, and also hold your name and home address details in it. You can get them for free on any station, and then buy a daily-weekly-monthly or tri-monthly pass for bus, tube and train (or just one). Also you can simply buy an amount to put in them to use when needed if you don't travel very often by public transport. The costs would vary on which zones you wish to go. For more help on the zones look at the map or visit the Transport for London website.

These cards can be used to track a passengers journey, and coupled with the CCTV network Police Officers can track a journey closely.

If you need to see a doctor, you will first go the surgery you are registered to (it is dealt by the area where you reside), and have an appointment with your GP or General Practitioner. If it is a more serious case you will be referred to a doctor at the hospital, otherwise the GP will send you home with your prescription. Hospital referrals might take up to 6 months in some cases.

There is a ban in the UK about smoking. You can not smoke inside a pub, club or mall, and especially not at any place where they serve food. As annoying as it is, particularly in winter, if you want a smoke, you will have to go out on the street to do so, and leave your drink unattended inside the bar.