The Escort in London Survival Guide: How to Stay Safe and Smart in the World of Companionship

Working as an escort in London isn’t like what you see in movies. There’s no glamor, no red carpets, no unlimited cash. Just long nights, unpredictable clients, and a constant need to stay alert. If you’re doing this-or thinking about it-you need to know the real rules. Not the ones from forums or TikTok. The ones that keep you alive.

Know the Law-Before You Say Yes

In England, selling sexual services isn’t illegal. But almost everything around it is. You can’t work from home if your landlord bans it. You can’t advertise in public spaces. You can’t solicit on the street. You can’t share premises with another sex worker unless you’re both registered as a business. These aren’t suggestions-they’re criminal offenses under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and the Policing and Crime Act 2009.

Many escorts get caught not because they broke the law directly, but because they trusted someone who did. A “manager” who handles bookings from a flat you don’t own. A driver who picks you up from a known red-light zone. A website that lets you post photos with your real name. All of these are red flags.

If you’re working online, use a business name. Never your real one. Never your face. Use a burner phone. Never link your personal bank account. Use a separate digital wallet like Revolut or Wise under your business name. The police don’t go after clients-they go after the infrastructure. Be the one they can’t trace.

Screening Isn’t Optional-It’s Your Lifeline

You think you can tell if someone’s dangerous by their voice or profile picture? You’re wrong. I’ve seen men who looked like professors turn violent. I’ve seen men who smelled like sweat and cheap cologne turn out to be polite, respectful, and even kind.

Screening isn’t about being rude. It’s about survival. Here’s how to do it right:

• Always do a video call before meeting. Not just a selfie. A live, 3-minute call where you ask them to turn around, show their hands, and state their full name. Record it.
• Check their name on Google, Facebook, LinkedIn. Look for criminal records on the UK Police National Computer (PNC) via third-party services like CheckMend. If they’ve been arrested for assault, stalking, or fraud-walk away.
• Ask for proof of address. A utility bill with their name and photo ID. Not a screenshot. A clear, unedited photo of the original document.
• Never go to their place first. Always meet in your space, or a hotel you book yourself. Use a trusted service like Booking.com or Airbnb with a verified profile. Never use a friend’s flat unless you’ve vetted everyone who lives there.
• Set a code word with a friend. Text them when you arrive. If you don’t text again in 90 minutes, they call the police and say, “My friend is missing. Her code word is ‘pineapple.’”

One escort in Brixton was found dead in 2023 after skipping screening because “he seemed nice.” The man had three prior convictions for sexual assault. He was on parole.

Location Matters More Than You Think

Not all of London is the same. Some areas are high-risk. Some are neutral. Some are safer than others.

Areas like Camden, Soho, and parts of Southwark have high foot traffic, more police presence, and more established networks of workers. That doesn’t mean they’re safe-but they’re predictable. You know what to expect.

Avoid isolated areas: places like Hackney Marshes, Eltham, or the edges of Croydon after dark. These are where predators hunt. Even if the client says, “I live near the park-it’s quiet,” don’t go. The quietest places are the deadliest.

Stick to hotels with 24-hour reception. Use the lobby to meet. Never go up alone. If the client insists on privacy, offer to book a second room for them nearby. If they refuse, end the meeting. Walk out. No apology needed.

Money Rules-Always

Never accept cash unless you’re in a secure, monitored environment. Why? Because cash can’t be traced. If you’re robbed, there’s no record. If you’re assaulted, police have nothing to work with.

Use digital payments. PayPal, bank transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay. All leave a trail. If someone refuses, say no. Period.

Set your rates clearly. No exceptions. No “I’ll pay extra if you do this.” That’s how coercion starts. Write your terms in a message. “My rate is £150/hour. No discounts. No extra services. Payment before arrival.”

And never, ever let someone talk you into extending time without prepayment. If they ask, say, “I’ll need another £100 before we continue.” Then wait for the payment to clear. If they complain, leave. Your time is worth more than their ego.

Build a Network-Not Just Clients

Working alone is dangerous. Working with others who know the ropes? That’s how you survive.

Join trusted networks like the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) or the UK Network of Sex Work Projects (UKNSWP). They offer legal advice, safety training, and emergency contacts. They don’t judge. They help.

Find one or two other escorts you trust. Exchange numbers. Check in every night. If you don’t hear from each other, call the police. Don’t wait. Don’t assume they’re just busy. They might be in trouble.

Some women have formed WhatsApp groups with strict rules: no photos shared, no real names used, no client details posted. Just “I’m heading to a hotel in Ealing at 9 PM. Code: cherry.” That’s it. Simple. Safe.

When Things Go Wrong

Even if you do everything right, things can still go wrong. You might get threatened. You might get robbed. You might be harassed online.

Here’s what to do:

• If you’re in immediate danger: call 999. Say “I’m a sex worker and I’m being threatened.” Police are trained to handle this. They won’t arrest you.
• If you’re threatened online: screenshot everything. Report to Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk). They handle digital crimes.
• If you’re robbed: go to the nearest police station. File a report. Even if you don’t want to press charges, the report helps track patterns.
• If you’re stalked: get a restraining order. You can apply through the courts. The ECP can help you fill out the forms.

Many escorts don’t report because they fear being judged. But the police have a dedicated unit for sex worker safety. They don’t care about your job. They care that you’re alive.

Keep Your Mental Health in Check

This job wears you down. Not because of the work. But because of the isolation. The fear. The stigma.

Find a therapist who specializes in trauma or sex work. Organizations like The Female Project and The Purple Project offer free counseling. You don’t need insurance. You don’t need to explain yourself.

Set boundaries. No more than 3 clients a week. No work on Sundays. No answering messages after midnight. Your mind needs rest. Your body needs recovery.

If you start feeling numb, anxious, or detached-you’re not broken. You’re human. Reach out. Talk to someone. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

It’s Not Forever

Some people stay in this work for years. Others leave after a few months. Neither is wrong.

If you’re saving money to go to college, start a business, or just get out-keep that goal in front of you. Write it on your mirror. Set a date. One year. Two years. Whatever feels right.

There’s no shame in leaving. There’s no glory in staying. Only survival. And survival isn’t about how long you last-it’s about how well you take care of yourself while you’re here.

London doesn’t owe you anything. But you owe yourself safety. Clarity. Respect.

Do the work. Stay smart. Stay alive.