By being smart, you’re being safe!!
by George Allan, LincsMag Martial Arts Writer.
Date: 18 November 2009
Anyone can become a victim of street crime but there are ways to reduce your chances of becoming the next target.
Alarmingly, the Yorkshire and the Humberside region have the third highest rate in the country, with a mugging taking place every 13 minutes!
So who’s at risk???
Although anyone can become a target for muggers, some are more likely to become victims than others. People often assume its women who are more likely to be mugged, when actually research shows it’s the complete opposite.
Men between the ages of 19 and 25 are at a greater risk, as are students and business people who have had an after work drink. So why are these groups more at risk then?
Street robbers have identified students as particularly easy targets as they often have expensive equipment such as laptops, mini-disk players, I-pods and mobile phones. Students are often not from the local area so are unfamiliar with their surroundings and muggers view them as being particularly easy to intimidate.
Like students, business people often have a number of valuables on their persons. What makes them an easier target is the fact that when they are travelling home from work they tend to switch off because they’re tired. As a result of switching off, they are often not paying attention to their surroundings and body language.
So why are men more likely to be mugged than women? Well this may sound like a simple suggestion but its fact that most muggings happen after dark when the victim is alone. The truth is that most women often don’t like the idea of being in this situation so they avoid travelling alone after dark at all costs. Street crimes are crimes of opportunity, (done on the spur of the moment) so if the women are not going out as much, they’re not getting mugged as much.
Of course this is only suggestion presented by the home office in 2007. So ok, we know who’s at the greater risk from street crime, but let’s talk about the proven ways to reduce your chances of coming face to face of street crime. Everyone should follow these tips!!!!!
Good tips to follow
Appearing confident is one of the best ways of staying safe when out and about on foot. It’s a fact that confident people are less likely to be mugged or assaulted, so when you're walking alone try to look alert and walk tall.
Of course, the secret to being confident is feeling safe in the first place. So be aware of your surroundings, always make a plan where you're going and how you're going to get there and even take the precaution of making a backup plan if you run into trouble or your route becomes blocked. I suggest the best time to do this is the night before using a map.
It's also worth letting other people know where you're going and when you expect to get back, if you do decide to change your plans remember to let them know.
The reason behind all this preparation is that when you do go on your journey you don’t appear lost to whoever may be watching you. So let me give you just a few quick guidelines to follow.
1) Carry a mobile phone with you, and have useful numbers programmed into your phone for speedy access.
2) Carry a personal attack alarm, like the
Yale SAA5080 Personal Attack Alarm
3) Stick to busy, well-lit places. Avoid underpasses or shortcuts unless the lighting is good and you're confident
they're safe.
4) If you can, avoid walking alone at night, especially in unfamiliar territory
5) Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are easy to move in. Carry your bag slung across your body with any zips or
openings on the inside.
I have given just 5 little personal rules to follow because it’s important not to get too scared and get carried away with safety. There’s one way to avoid street crime, and that is to never step outside your house but I think we can all agree that is a little bit on the extreme side.
What happens if I am being followed?
When you are being followed, it’s often the case where the offender feels that you are an easy target and the risks of getting caught or injured are low. If you think you are being followed, it’s important to now increase the risk of the offender of being caught.
It’s a good idea to cross the road and continue to walk as normal and see if the offender does the same, if you think you are still being followed then it’s vital to make for somewhere busy and well lit, don’t be afraid to ask someone for help!
If you see a group of friendly looking people walking together then try and get into the group, just whisper to them and explain that you think you are being followed. When you reach a busy and well lit place, ring for help!
Common place of theft are cash points…fact!
We all understand the convenience’s of cash machines as a source of money, but unfortunately often some thieves think the same way! To avoid being a victim at a cash point, the following precautions are recommended. It may seem like common sense, but never write down your PIN, and if you are distracted at the cash point, cancel the transaction and leave - someone may have seen your PIN or be trying to create an opportunity to try to steal your money.
Do not let anyone see you input your PIN code and if you are interrupted or distracted by anyone when using a cash machine, cancel the transaction straight away and try to recover the card. Also if your card is not returned by the cash machine, report it to your card issuer immediately.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones can be incredibly useful when out alone, to let others know your whereabouts and for your own peace of mind. Unfortunately they are also an easy target for street robbers - 38% of all robberies involve the theft of a mobile phone. If you need to use a mobile phone in public, don't switch off.
Be aware of what you are doing and if possible, keep your mobile concealed at all times!!
Mobile Phone Facts:
1) 90% of offenders are male and 80% of victims are also male
2) The majority of robberies are committed by offenders working in groups
3) The peak age for offenders is 16
4) The peak time for theft of mobiles belonging to people under the age of 18 is between 2pm and 10pm
5) For over 18s the peak time for theft is between 10pm and 6am
6) A mobile phone is stolen around every three minutes in the UK
These statistics came from BBC crime stoppers
Car crime
Often we all make the assumption that we are completely safe in our cars when we are driving, and the sad fact is that we’re not. Even though carjacking is rare in Lincolnshire, doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you or someone you know!!
Living in London myself, made me more aware of where and when a driver is at risk of being carjacked or even robbed! There are a lot of traffic lights in cities, which means stopping and starting, each time you stop at a red light you are at risk!
Don’t panic, I’m not going to suggest running through red lights or anything illegal! All I suggest is each time you come to a stop, have a quick look round at your surroundings and have a look at your dashboard. It’s always a good idea to lock your doors when you’re at traffic lights and clear your dashboard and passenger seat of any valuables.
The advice I’ve given may seem just like common sense but staying safe isn't just about keeping your valuables well hidden. It's all about attitude, and changing yours could make the difference between getting home safely or being attacked.
Please understand that the advice I’ve given is only going to reduce your chances of being a victim, it won’t unfortunately make you 100% safe. Just being aware and acting quickly can improve your situation greatly!
Stay safe!!!
