We are a family of 5 looking into an apartment in the shepherds street. Is this a good area for our kids to stroll alone in?

No areas of central London are unsafe. Shepherds Street runs through Shepherds Market, which has a dozen restaurants or more, so is busy till late.<BR><BR>Please write if I can help further. For example, I have on disc a note on London for children: shall I e-mail it to you ? Welcome to London.<BR><BR>Ben Haines<BR>

Ben, not to be picky, but isn't Shepherd's market a bit....risque for young children?<BR><BR>That's a genuine question. I only know it from magazines (Not THOSE sorts of magazines, before anyone asks)

We stayed at the Washington Hotel on Curzon Street, right across from Shepherds Mkt a few years ago. The neighborhood is safe and quiet, being mostly beautiful homes, a lot of diplomats living in the area.<BR>BUT-Shepherds Mkt itself is still a thriving RED LIGHT district, and there is a large Lebanese restaurant that is always busy, with cars lined up waiting for the people to get in. <BR>In the backs of those cars (Rolls Royce) will be ladies with burkhas and their drivers while the husbands hang out and talk in the restaurant.

Sheila, are you thinking of Shepherd's Bush?

Hi<BR><BR>I worked in both these areas many years ago.<BR><BR>Shepherds market is a much more discrete and upmarket red light area than Shepherds Bush Market !<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

Dear Ms Ritchie,<BR><BR>Not picky at all. I knew when I wrote that the place has prostitutes, but because I dine there monthly and am wholly untroubled by them I thought it ok to say go. I have now done what I should have done, and phoned the relevant police station. An officer there said he could not speak as a policeman, only as a member of the public, but he was sure the prostitutes are not ostentatious and are no bother, and children can walk the streets there happily and safely.<BR><BR>Thanks for prodding me into needed action.<BR><BR>Ben Haines<BR><BR>