Personal Safety

Personal safety is a topic that concerns many of us.  We have highlighted some safety tips on keeping yourself safe when you are out and about.  To read further information on the different aspects of Personal Safety please visit the links at the bottom of the page. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is especially useful .

Plan ahead

Before you go out, from heading out with friends or even making your journey into work, think about how you are going to get home. Avoid travelling alone and set aside some money in advance. Can you travel home with a friend? What time does the last bus or train leave?

• Think about what you need to take with you. If you must take valuables with you try not to keep them all in one place. Instead place valuables such as wallets in an inside pocket.
• Think about carrying a personal safety alarm.
• We all have the right to wear what we want but it’s worth remembering that you can help to reduce the risks by wearing clothes you can move in easily.

Stay alert

• Be extra careful when using cash points. Make sure nobody is hovering nearby and don’t count your money in the street.
• Keep your mind on your surroundings – if you’re chatting on your mobile phone or listening to your iPod you won’t hear trouble approaching.
• Trust your instincts if you think you are being followed. As confidently as you can, cross the road, turning to see who is behind you and head for a busy area where you can tell people what’s happening. If necessary, call the police.

Public Transport

• Obtain timetable and fare information before travelling to prevent you waiting around for long periods at bus stops or stations. 
• When waiting for public transport after dark, try to wait in well-lit areas and near emergency alarms and CCTV cameras.

Walking alone and street safety

It takes three things for a violent or aggressive situation to happen – a victim, a perpetrator and an opportunity. By taking some suitable safety precautions such as those listed above, you can reduce the opportunities and therefore the risk of becoming a victim.

• Avoid danger spots like quiet or badly lit alleyways, subways or isolated car parks.
• Try to use well lit, busy streets and use the route you know best.
• Whenever possible, walk facing oncoming traffic to avoid kerb crawlers.
• If you are at all worried, try and stay near a group of people.
• Avoid passing stationary cars with their engines running and people sitting in them.
• Beware of someone who warns you of the danger of walking alone and then offers to accompany you. This is a ploy some attackers have been known to use.
• Never accept a lift from a stranger or someone you don’t know very well even if you are wet, tired or running late.

Stalking

If you feel someone has an unhealthy interest in you or believe you are a victim of stalking, call the Police on 101. If you are in immediate danger dial 999.

For further information on personal safety and stalking, check out the following websites:

http://www.suzylamplugh.org/

http://www.personalsafetyadvice.co.uk/