Crime Prevention and Personal Safety

Whether it be popping to the shops or going for a run, you should always consider the journey and how to keep yourself and others safe.

Here are some useful ways to keep you and your property safe whilst out and about….

• Before you go out, consider how you are going to get home, e.g. Can you travel home with a friend?  What time does the last bus/train leave? 
• Prepare for your day before you leave and consider what you might need. Phone, money etc. Is your phone fully charged?
• Update someone on your plans and if they change always make sure someone is aware of where you are. 
• Plan your journey – google street view is useful for identifying places in an unknown area before you set off. 
• When it gets dark, keep to busy, well-lit streets, walkways and paths which are more likely to be covered by CCTV. 
• Be aware when using cash point machines. If there are signs of tampering or people acting suspiciously, do not use it. 
• Try not to keep all your valuables in one place. Keep valuables such as wallets in an inside pocket and separate small amount of cash or a bankcard from your main purse/wallet. 
• Only take licensed taxis or minicabs booked by phone or a mobile phone app.
• Installing an app such as Hollie Guard – Personal Safety App on your smart phone or consider carrying a personal alarm.
• Confidence - You are less likely to be targeted if you look confident. Move with purpose and try to be aware of your surroundings.

It may also be that a young person you care for has started travelling to school on their own for the first time and this can be a very worrying time.

Below are some simple steps to share with the young person to make the process a little easier:

• Practise the new journey a few times beforehand. If they will be taking a bus, then practise the run a few times until they are comfortable with the journey.
• Tell them to avoid distractions such as using mobile devices or wearing headphones. 
• Encourage them to find other people to walk to school with. Friends who maybe live nearby, so to avoid taking the journey alone.
• Reiterate that they should only cross the road at safe places, such as zebra crossings or pelican crossings. It might sound obvious, but they may need reminding!