Crime prevention

The chance that you or a member of your family 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.

Remember thieves love an easy target.

Staying safe when you’re out and about

• carry your bag close to you or across your body so it opens on the side facing you
• avoid carrying valuables in outside pockets
• carry house keys in your pocket
• take everything out of your pockets if you hanging your jacket somewhere
• keep your bag where you can see it and don’t leave it open
• if someone grabs your bag, let it go – you are less likely to get hurt and your safety is more important than your property!
• keep your mobile phone out of sight
• use a UV marker to mark your postcode and house number on your phone under the battery
• if you think you are being followed, cross the road and get to the nearest place where others are around
• avoid using an enclosed phone box – an attacker could trap you inside
• don’t take short cuts through dark alleys, parks or waste ground – stick to well lit roads with pavements
• cover up expensive looking jewellery
• never keep the PIN number of your cash card

Staying safe at cashpoints

• be aware of who is watching you
• make an effort to ensure no one can see the number you key in
• put your money away immediately

Staying safe on public transport

• avoid isolated bus stops
• sit near the driver or conductor
• sit in a busy carriage on trains - ideally one near the exit at your destination

Staying safe in taxis

• avoid mini-cabs and private hire companies touting for business
• sit behind the driver
• check the taxi that arrives is the one you ordered – make them give you your name or reference

If the worst happens, shout and scream for help. Defend yourself with items you have with you - e.g. an umbrella or keys. Do not use anything that can be described as an offensive weapon.

If you have been attacked, contact the police immediacy by phoning 999 and take the name and address of any witnesses.

Victim support

Victim support an independent charity that helps people cope with the effects of crime. Free and confidential support and information is provided to help victims. They supports and advocates on behalf of victims and informs of their rights within the criminal justice system.

For more information please contact Camden Victim support

Secure your vehicle

Vehicle crime, which accounts for nearly a quarter of all recorded crime and costs over £3 billion a year, can be reduced by owners following some practical steps. Older cars are particularly prone to being stolen or broken into, with over 80% of all cars stolen being seven years or older.

Protecting your car could save you time and money as waiting for an insurance company to pay out or your vehicle to be repaired can be time consuming.

For more information please visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust

The trust is the leading authority on personal safety. Their role is to minimise the damage caused to individuals and to society by aggression in all its forms - physical, verbal and psychological.

For more information please visit www.suzylamplugh.org

Elsewhere on the web

• www.crimereduction.gov.uk
  information and resources for people working to reduce crime in their area
• www.met.police.uk/camden
  advice from your local police crime prevention officers

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Page last updated Mar 22, 2012 11:43 AM