Tips for Staying Safe…
Occasionally it comes to light that someone has had a nasty experience of a hand bag snatch, pick pocketing, robbery, assault or on the darker side even a sexual assault. Most crimes in the area are rare, often people let their guard down and petty opportunists take advantage. Here’s a few tips to improve your awareness whilst enjoying a night out, a meal or a walk.
1. Plan Pre-plan your route. Keep people informed of timings and your route. If this is a regular journey vary your route and timings. If you’ve been drinking and a taxi isn’t available, when returning home at the end of your day be aware of being followed and people sitting in cars in odd places.
2. Assess Continually assess any potential situations as you progress. If there are any persons that could be a potential threat consider safe routes to escape and consider your options. Consider who you are with, your age, gender and skills base and the potential threat – how big are they, have they a weapon, is their hand in their pocket, have they an accomplice in a car nearby?
3. Phone Before you leave home it should be fully charged. This is a prime target for a thief. Don’t flash it around. Do not keep it on show in a rear pocket or leave it on the bar or table. When using your phone outside hold it to the ear nearest a wall or building. This makes it harder for someone to snatch it away. Never let a stranger use your phone, it is easy for them to transfer the contents of your phone within seconds to their own phone and steal the contents of your phone, or they could simply run off with your phone. Have the number of the police and any person that can assist you in an emergency easy to access in your phone. Have GPS tracking active on your phone so that your loved one can see your location.
Never let a stranger use your phone…
4. Wallet/Purse Do not keep it in your back pocket. Do not leave it in view. Just carry enough cash for your trip out and don’t take any bank cards. You can also carry a false wallet containing a very small amount of money. You could include in the wallet an old store card or a card used for marketing purposes that looks like a real bank card. If you’re approached and asked to hand over your valuables hand them the false wallet and keep your real wallet safe.
5. Bag Keep your hand bag, man bag or back pack safe. Wear it across your body, not hanging from your shoulder so it’s easy to pull away from you. If you’re walking don’t wear your bag road side where it can be grabbed by a passing bike rider or person reaching out of a car window.
6. Weapons You can consider carrying a torch, pepper spray and panic alarm. Carry a small torch, a flash in their eyes will give them night blindness for a short time. Carry pepper spray. It’s legal in Spain for over 18s. Have it easily accessible. It will give you extra time to react. Be aware that a small percentage of people are not affected by pepper spray. Carry a panic alarm that emits a piercing loud noise if activated.
Carry a panic alarm…
7. Shoes Don’t wear flip flops or high heels if you consider that you may find yourself in a vulnerable situation.
8. Jewellery Don’t leave it on show. Professional pick pockets can distract and remove watches and jewellery easily.
9. Drinks Always keep your drink in sight. Even if someone you’ve just met seems like a caring person, don’t leave your drink unattended. Having your drink spiked can leave you vulnerable to be sexually assaulted, violently assaulted or robbed.
If you see a potential threat – look confident, hold the pepper spray/torch in your pocket ready to use, look for an escape route and safe place and assess. Do not wear head phones for obvious reasons, you can’t hear properly. Be confident and firm but be prepared to hand over your valuables if the risks are too high.
Recap…
Enjoy yourself, stay alert, watch your drink and valuables. The most vulnerable time may be your route home so think safety. Whilst walking outside late at night keep torch, pepper spray or panic alarm to hand.
Article first published by Bolt Global Protection
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