Think ahead and plan your journey to avoid going into deserted areas. 

• Look confident. Walk with your head up, as if you know where you're going. Keep your hands free - don’t walk about with them in your pockets. 
• Stay alert. Don't use personal stereos in the street - they stop you being aware of what’s going on around you. 
• Keep to well-used roads. Don’t use alleyways or short cuts. 
• Walk in the opposite direction of the traffic to avoid kerb crawlers. 
• In the dark, always stick to well-lit areas. 
  
• Carry a torch or a whistle, or better still, a very noisy screech or shrill alarm. They are not expensive and if you carry a personal alarm, you will feel more confident. 
• If you start to be frightened, try not to panic. Always try to think around situations.  

If you often walk home in the dark: 

• Get a personal attack alarm from a DIY store or ask your local crime prevention officer where you can buy one. 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. 
• Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards. Carry your house keys in your pocket. If someone grabs your bag, let it go. If you hang on, you could get hurt. Remember your safety is more important than your property.   

If you think someone is following you: 

• If you think you are being followed, cross the road. If the person follows you, cross it again. If you are still worried, go at once to a place where there are lots of people, such as a busy shop or pub and tell someone what is going on. 
• Go to a family group rather than a single couple and tell them
• Call the Police
• Avoid using an enclosed phone box in the street, as the attacker could trap you inside.  

If you regularly go jogging or cycling: 

• Try to vary your route and time. 
• Stick to well-lit roads with pavements. 
• On 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. 
• Don’t take short-cuts through dark alleys, parks or across waste ground. Face the traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you unnoticed.  

If a car stops and you are threatened: 

• Scream and shout, and set off your personal attack alarm if you have one. 
• Get away as quickly as you can. This will gain you vital seconds and make it more difficult for the car driver to follow. 
• If you can, make a mental note of the number and description of the car. Write down details as soon as possible afterwards. 
• Don’t hitch-hike or take lifts from strangers.  

Cover up expensive looking jewellery. 

Self-defence and safety awareness classes may help you feel more secure. Ask your local police or your work if they have classes.

See our section on keeping your personal property safe