Personal Safety

Arleston Neighbourhood Watch would like to share some tips on how to keep yourself safe when you are out and about within our community.

We would like our fellow neighbours to go about their everyday life free from the fear of threat. We would also like to think of our fellow neighbours being free from the fear of psychological, emotional harm from others.

What can you do to keep yourself safe?

 Making yourself less of a target, moving with purpose and being aware of your surroundings will go a long way to keeping you safe.

Top tips to keep you safe 

Be prepared

Plan your route in advance. Carry a charged mobile phone and some cash, and tell someone where you’re going.

Be assertive

From the moment you step out onto the street in the morning, look assertive and act and walk with confidence. This will always make you appear in control and much less vulnerable.

Be aware

Using a mobile phone, whether making a call or texting, wearing a hood or listening to loud music, all affect your awareness of your surroundings.

If you are using your phone, you are less likely to be aware of what is happening around you. If you are listening to music, you are less likely to hear oncoming traffic or hear someone walking behind you. If you wear a hood, you are less likely to see what is happening around you as your side view will restricted.

Hide it

Keep your valuables including your mobile phone, other devices and jewellery, hidden. Remember, out of sight, out of mind. 

If you’re using your phone it’s more likely to be snatched from your hand as you’re not paying attention to your surroundings, so look around you.

And never leave a mobile, any other device, wallet or purse on the table of an outdoor café, pub or restaurant. Same goes for any jewellery you might be wearing – keep it covered when walking down the street.

Finally – and this is so important to remember – if you’re threatened with violence, don’t risk your personal safety. Property can be replaced, you can’t.

Go against the flow

When walking on the pavement, always face oncoming traffic, as it will make it far more difficult for thieves on two wheelers to ride up from behind and snatch your property. But still also be aware of anyone approaching from ahead of you.

Trust your instincts

Try to avoid walking alone at night in places such as parks and side streets or any unfamiliar environment. If you do have to walk, stick to busy places where is a lot of activity CCTV and good lighting.

Make a plan

And stick to it. First off, discuss with friends what to do if something were to go wrong on your night out together, eg if one of you has too much to drink or you were to get separated. Agree on a backup plan and look out for one another.

Plan your route and think about what to take with you, especially if you’re going somewhere you haven’t been before. Keep to busy, well-lit streets, walkways and paths which are more likely to be covered by CCTV. Only take licensed taxis or minicabs booked by phone or a mobile phone app.

Be vigilant

Alcohol and drugs will reduce reaction times and inhibitions, which makes it harder to assess risks and decide how to deal with them. So keep an eye on how much you drink and never let your glass or bottle out of your sight.

Safety in numbers

Try to travel with people you know and, where possible, stick to routes and forms of transport that others are using and avoid shortcuts in lonely places.

Keep your phone safe 

Don’t leave your phone, iPad, tablet or camera unattended, out of your sight or left on a table – thieves can grab a phone from a table in seconds.

Always be aware of your mobile and your whereabouts and act accordingly. And when you’ve finished using it, put it away.

Ensure you retain a record of your phone's IMEI number. This is a 15-digit unique number which can be obtained by keying in *#06#. You need this information if the phone is lost or stolen. And don’t keep a note of it on your phone as it defeats the object.

Use your device’s security features, apps or PIN locking mechanisms to protect your data and prevent the phone being used if stolen.

Track it. Consider installing a tracker app on your smartphone. They’re readily available online. If your mobile’s ever stolen, act promptly.

Report it

If your safety or anyone else's safety is compromised whilst out and about, make sure you report it to the Police. You can call 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency. Please ensure you provide as much information as you can. The information that you provide will help the police and may prove useful if a suspect is caught.

You can also report online via www.westmercia.police.uk or via crimestoppers too 

Recommended App

The app "What three words" is recommended to download on your phone. If you get lost whilst out in a car or whilst walking, this app will provide you with three words to quote if you need to establish what your location is. 

Street addresses don't always point to a precise location. what3words has given every 3m square in the world a unique 3 word address.  The words are randomly assigned to each square and will always stay the same. Now it's easy to find and share any location with just three words.

Street addresses don't always point to precise locations

what3words has given every 3m square in the world a unique 3 word address

This is an excellent tool if you need to tell someone where you are in the event of an emergency, especially if you are in an unknown area. This app isn't restricted to use only in the UK, it can be used world wide too!