Personal safety
It’s rare to be confronted by strangers. Most at risk are men between 16 and 24.
Drinking
You are more vulnerable to both attack and injury if you’ve been drinking, especially around other drinkers. Stop drinking when your senses begin to be impaired. Look after friends and walk away from confrontations.
At night
Keep valuables out of sight and keep to well lit, busy areas. Look out for police patrols, especially at weekends. Many towns also have taxi marshalling schemes.
Walking with confidence
A personal attack alarm from a DIY shop is cheap. Carry it in your hand so you can use it immediately. Plan your route. Stick to thoroughfares where there is CCTV and avoid shortcuts. Carry a torch for dark areas. Walk on the roadside facing oncoming traffic. If you hear someone behind you, look at them. If you think you’re being followed, cross the street, perhaps several times, to check. If you can, go into a shop and stay there until you're sure you're safe. If you are really worried, find a busy place and call police. Headphones will make it harder to hear people approaching you. Remember that people may be intimidated if you walk close behind them.
If a vehicle driver stops and speaks to you, keep your distance. If you are threatened, try to remember vehicle details (number plate, make, colour) and call the police.
Watch out for pickpockets in crowds. Keep valuables out of sight and in front trouser pockets if possible. Don't carry important documents or credit cards that you do not need. Consider using a purse chain. If you're carrying a bag, try to have it across your chest and keep your hand over the fastening. If someone grabs your bag, let it go. Try to avoid using cash machines at night and only take your wallet out when you need to.
Be careful with electronics - talking on a mobile phone, listening to an MP3 player or carrying a laptop bag shows thieves that you have something to steal. It's also a good idea to cover up expensive jewellery.
Driving
Plan routes, keep maps and torches in cars and try to keep to main roads, even when using satnav, so you don’t have to ask directions. For long journeys, make sure your vehicle is in good condition and properly equipped.
If someone tries to flag you down for help, don’t stop until you’re at a public place, then call the police for them. If you think you’re being followed, go to a public place, not home. If you break down, let police and breakdown staff know if you’re alone. Sit in the front passenger seat with doors locked. On motorways, sit away from the car on the embankment with the passenger door open.
When leaving your car, make sure it is properly secured and don't leave valuables on display in the car. Remove the satnav if you have one and clean any tell-tale marks off the windscreen. Even a coat on the seat or an empty carrier bag can attract thieves so make sure you put everything into the boot of the car. Use a good quality steering wheel lock.
Using taxis
Only licensed Hackney Carriages are allowed to pick people up on the street with no booking. Check your car is the one you booked and don’t get in if you’re unsure. At the end, ask the driver to wait until you’re indoors. Find out if your town has a Taxi Marshalling Scheme at weekends.
Buses and trains
Always use the lower bus deck and sit near the driver if the bus is empty. Avoid isolated stops. On trains or tubes, sit in full carriages. When arriving at night, try to be met by someone.
You can click here for more information about railway safety.
More advice
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the national charity for personal safety, has advice on minimising risk, available at http://www.suzylamplugh.org/
Community Legal Advice offers free, confidential and independent legal advice for residents of England and Wales, available at http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/
Find out more
To read in more detail about safety out and about, download the full version of this module.
