The good news is that the chances of you or a family member becoming a victim of crime are low. Most crimes committed on the street are unplanned; they are usually induced by the prospect of a valuable possession left in a car or a door or window to a house being left ajar.
Sure, it’s the Police’s job to keep crime off the streets, but there’s no harm in understanding the risks and taking responsibility to prevent yourself from being a target.
The following information is aimed at men and women, but regardless of your gender, you will still benefit by reading all of the information provided.
Also see Personal Safety in STAYING Safe
Younger Men
Younger men aged between 16 & 24 years are more likely to fall prey to street violence, most of the time they are targeted by groups of other young men.
- Try to stick to well lit and busy areas.
- Try to look and walk with confidence and make sure your body language reflects this.
- If you find yourself being harassed for say your mobile phone, it’s a good idea to give in to the perpetrator’s request. This will remove you from harm’s way and negate injury.
- If you find yourself in a confrontational situation, prevent it from turning into an aggressive one. Stay in control of your emotions, if you feel yourself getting angry or if you are on the receiving end of this, move away.
- You can use reasonable force in self-defence and you can protect yourself with an item you are already carrying e.g. keys or spray deodorant. However, this does not warrant you carrying a weapon.
- If you decide to defend yourself, bear in mind that your attacker may be stronger than you. On the other hand, your attacker may take what you are using as self-defence and use it against you. It’s far less risky if you shout and run away.
- Shout FIRE instead of HELP, people are more likely to take notice of this.
Women:
The fear of crime is far greater than the actual threat and the chances of suffering an attack are very small. According to the 2001 British Crime Survey, a quarter of women worry more about rape and physical attack than any other crime.
Your Personal Safety, Your Duty
Whilst on a night out, remember that getting drunk and/or taking drugs will dull your senses, this doesn’t help when staying safe includes being aware of your surroundings – especially if you are alone. You should pay attention to any danger signals or 'gut' feelings and act on them. The following advice is aimed to help you when you're out and about, but remember it's your own duty to assess the situation and then act accordingly.
Out partying:
- Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Keep your eye on your drink. Never leave it unguarded and continue drinking it, it could be spiked. Better still, arrange beforehand to watch each other's drinks. If you arrive as a group, leave as a group. Never accept drinks from strangers.
- Try not to drink from collective alcohol i.e. fishbowls.
- Try and plan in advance how you will get home, ideally book your taxi before hand or take the number of a licensed taxi firm with you so you can call and arrange for it to meet you outside. Make sure you plan in advance how you are going to get home.
Taxi or minicabs?
Taxi or Hackney Carriage: Taxi or hackney carriages are those that display the word “TAXI”. They are the only vehicles that can be hailed in the street or taken from Taxi Ranks. Some taxi companies offer helpful assistance to older people or people with disabilities. Private Hire or Minicabs: Private hire cars or minicabs will not display the word “TAXI” and they must be pre-booked. It is therefore extremely unsafe to get into a car at a Taxi Rank or one that you have hailed down unless it displays the word “TAXI”. |
Book a licensed minicab operator you've used in the past and trust. When the minicab arrives ask the driver his name and company and what name he is expecting to collect. It's not a good idea to flag down a minicab or private hire car, the driver could be anyone disguising himself to be a minicab driver. If they are a phoney, there could be a number of things wrong with the car that may make it unfit to be used on the road as well the driver being unlicensed and uninsured. Ultimately, making it very difficult to track the driver down.
Public Transport:
On foot:
If you're out and about the following information may act as a precaution to keep you safe;
Try to avoid danger spots that are quiet or unlit, subways or isolated car parks. Again, walk down the middle of the pavement if the street is deserted. When you walk, try and walk briskly which will project confidence and assertiveness.
Avoid passing stationary cars with their engines running and people sitting in them. If a vehicle suddenly pulls up alongside you, turn and walk in the other direction, you can turn much faster than the car.
If you think you are being followed, act on your intuition. Appear confident, as you cross the road turning check to see who is behind you. If you are still being followed, cross again and head for a busy area and report to anyone who maybe available to help you. The basic idea is to keep moving.
Avoid confrontation. Do not meet aggression with aggression, it will only fuel the situation. Talk your way out of problems, stay calm, speak gently, slowly and clearly. Breathe out slowly to help you relax.
