The chance that you or a family member will be a victim of crime is low. However, the best way to cut the risk of becoming a victim is to take sensible precautions.
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Home security is the best way to reduce your changes of being burgled. A lot of burglaries are spur of the moment, as a burglar may see an open window other easy point of entry and take their change.
Basic Tips:
- When you go out, always lock the door and close the windows - even if you are just going out for a short term.
- Window locks, especially on older windows, will help stop people getting in (and remember, a burglar is less likely to break in if they have to smash a window).
- If you have deadlocks, use them. They make it harder for a thief to get out again. But don't leave the key near the door, or in an obvious place.
- Don't leave spare keys outside, or in a garage or shed, and put car keys or garage keys out of sight in the house.
- Use timers for lights and radios if you need to be away from home overnight. They will create the impression that someone is in.
- Visible burglar alarms, good lighting, and carefully directed and limited security lighting can act as deterrents. But make sure that lights don't disturb your neighbours, and that alarms turn off after 20 minutes.
- Fences at the best of the house make make their area more secure but walls and solid fencing may let a thief break in without being seen. A good compromise is chain-link fencing, or trellises with prickly shrubs.
- Fitting a 'spy hole' allows you to see who is at the door. Having a chain means you can open the door a little way to talk to them.
Make sure that any improvements you make don't stop you from getting out of your house as quickly as possible if there is a fire.
Bogus Callers:
- Most people who come to your door will be genuine callers but it's best to make sure.
- Fitting a door chain or spy hole will help you check who the caller is.
- If you were not expecting someone to call, a genuine caller will not mind waiting outside while you contact their company.
- Most companies have a password scheme.
- If you let someone into your home, even if it is someone you know, and you become uncomfortable, make excuses and leave. Go to a neighbour's house, or ask a friend to come back with you.
Interrupting Burglars:
- If you come home and find a broken window or lights on, and you think there may be a burglar inside, you may think it best not to go into the house.
- Go to a neighbour's house and call the police, or ring the doorbell - someone who should be in the house will come to the door, whereas intruders are likely to run away.
Vehicle crime
Cars
- Lock the doors and close the windows when you leave the car - for any length of time.
- Don't leave anything on display - even a jacket can seem like an appealing target for a thief.
- Remove the stereo if you can. Also, tuck in wing mirrors and put the aerial down to discourage vandals.
- Never store your car's documents in the car.
- Use an approved immobiliser or sterring lock to help secure older vehicles.
- Think about having components the windows etched with the car's vehicle registration number (VRN) and make a note of its chassis number.
- Keep your car keys in a safe place, even in your house, so that someone breaking in cannot steal your car too.
Car Jacking
Car-jacking has become a high-profile crime over recent years, mainly because media attention has made people aware of it.
You can help prevent yourself being a victim of car-jacking by:-
- Keeping your doors locked in built up area and trying to keep the windows wound up, especially at traffic lights.
- Being aware of what people are doing around you.
- Using the middle lane, if there is one, when waiting at juncitons or lights, so that your car is harder to get to from the pavement.
- Not stopping to help someone who has broken down (if you really want to help, pull over at the next garage or police station and call for help).
- Driving to the next garage or police station and reporting them if someone tries to pull over for no reason.
- Sometimes car-jackers may 'accidentlly' bump into your car, aiming to get you out of the car so that they can steal it. If this happens, you may choose not to get out of the car - especially if you do not think it is a genuine accident. Wind the window down a little bit to talk to them if you want to.
Motorbikes
- Always lock your bike and set its alarm if it has one.
- When leaving your bike for some time, try to lock it to something secure. At home, you can fit special attachments to lock your bike to.
- Use a motorbike cover.
- Have the vehicle marked with its vehicle identification number (VIN).
Bicycles
- Get a good bike lock (D locks or combination locks are best. Look for Sold Secure Ltd approved locks or ask for a recommendation at a bike shop).
- Lock your bike to something secure - a bike rack or lamppost.
- Lock up removable parts (for example, whells) or take them with you (for example, light fittings).
- Have your bike security marked or engraved
Personal safety
Staying safe when you're out and about
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If you often walk home in the dark, get a personal attack alarm from a DIY store or ask your local crime prevention officer or contact Safe Communities 01482 396419 where you can receive one free of charge. Carry it in your hand so you can use it immediately to scare off an attacker. Make sure it is designed to continue sounding if it's dropped or falls to the ground.
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Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards. Carry your house keys in your pocket. If someone grabs your bag, let if go. If you hang on, you could get hurt. Remember your safety is more important than your property.
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If you think someone is following you, check by crossing the street - more than once if necessary - to see if they follow. If you are still worried, get to the nearest place where there are other people - a pub or anywhere with a lot of lights on - and call the police. Avoid using an enclosed phonebox in the street, as the attacker could trap you inside.
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If you regularly go jogging or cycling stick to well-lit roads with pavements. One commons and parklands, keep to main paths and open spaces where you can see and be seen by other people - avoid wooded areas. If you wear a personal stereo, remember you can't hear traffic or somebody approaching behind you.
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Don't take short-cuts through dark alleys, parks or across waste ground. Walk facing the traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you unnoticed.
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Don't hitch-hike or take lifts from strangers.
Staying safe in taxis
- If you are going to be out late, try to arrange a lift home or book a taxi. Check that the taxi that arrives is the one you ordered. Ask for a description of the car - colour, make, etc - and check this when it arrives. If you gave your name when you booked, check that the driver can tell you it before you get in. When, you get home, ask the driver to wait until you are inside.
- There are many reputable mini-cab or private hire car companies, but these must be booked either at their office or by phone. In some cases the driver will carry identification. Always keep the number of a reliable firm handy. Avoid mini-cabs or private hire cars that tout for business.
- Always sit behind the driver.
- If you feel uneasy, ask to be let out in a well-lit area where there are plenty of people.
- If in any doubt, don't get in a taxi
What Men Can Do
Men can help by taking the issue of women's safety seriously in their everyday lives. Bear these points in mind:
- If you are walking in the same direction as a woman on her own, don't walk behind her - this may worry her. Cross the road and walk on the other side. This may reassure her that you are not following her.
- If you are thinking of chatting to a woman waiting, for example, at a lonely bus stop, remember that she won't know you mean no harm.
- Realise how threatening actions such as staring, whistling, passing comments and jostling can be, particularly when you are one of a group of men.
If the worst happens
Think what you would do if someone attacked you. Could you fight back, or would you avoid resisting and wait to escape? Only you can decide whether to fight back, but preparing yourself for all possibilities could provide a split second advantage.
- If someone threatens you, shout and scream for help and set off your personal attack alarm if you have one. This may
- You have every right to defend yourself with reasonable force with items which you have with you like an umbrella, hairspray or keys can be used against the attacker. The law however doesn't allow carrying anything which can be described as an offensive weapon.
If you have been attacked
Assaults and rapes are serious crimes, whether committed by a stranger or someone you know.Call the police straightaway. They need your help to catch the attacker. You can help the police by:
- Taking the name or address of any witness
- Trying to remember exactly what the attacker looked like
- If a car was involved, try to note the colour, model and registration number.
- You do not need to go the the police station to report an assault - you can be interviewed in your own home if you wish. These crimes are dealt with sympathetically, regardless of sex. Police stations have specially trained officers who will help and support you, and many areas have comfortable victim suites, separate from the police station, where you can be interviewed privately.
- Although your immediate reaction will be to wash, try not to if you can possibly help it. It will destroy vital medical evidence that will help prove the case against the person who raped or assaulted you.
- Should your case come to trial, by law your anonymity will be guaranteed if you are female, or under 18 years old. The law forbids newspapers to publish anything that might identify you. Also, as a general rule, you should not be asked about your previous sexual history in court.
- If the violence is within your family, legal protection is possible under either civil or criminal law. In some cases for example, they can require a husband or partner not to enter your home, or even your neighbourhood.
Further information
