Timely advice from our Neighbourhood Watch team and the Avon and Somerset police:
With all the distractions in the run up to Christmas or any holiday, it’s easy to forget about your own safety.
Protect your personal possessions
- Keep your bags/purses/wallets/iPods/cameras out of sight – don’t advertise your stuff.
- Don’t leave your phones or wallet/purses on a table. They could be snatched by a passer-by.
- Register your property on the Immobilise website.
- Visit the police Protect Your Property from Thieves page.
In pubs and clubs
- Look after your friends. Don’t let them go off on their own if they’re worse for wear.
- Plan your journey home. Pre-book a taxi or arrange a lift with a designated driver. Let someone know
about your plans – and tell them if they change. Never accept a lift from a stranger or a taxi that pulls
up without a plate showing their taxi licence number and their licensing area. - Never leave your drink unattended. Be wary if it looks or tastes different. Tell someone if you suddenly
feel unwell. - If you see any trouble or suspect that it might be about to start, keep clear. Alert the police.
On foot
- Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Look and act confidently.
- Avoid walking alone if possible.
- Cover up jewellery, mobile phones and iPods and keep your bag close to your body.
- Never hitchhike.
- Stick to well-lit busy streets and be vigilant. Plan your route ahead.
- Walk facing oncoming traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you.
- If you regularly go walking or jogging, vary your route and avoid wearing headphones.
- When going to your car or home, have your keys ready at hand.
- If you think you’re being followed, go to the busiest place you can find or knock on a door. Then call the
police. - If you are attacked, shout for help as loudly as you can or shout for someone to contact the police. Use
your personal attack alarm. Try to get to a safe place and call the police. - If someone attempts to take something from you, consider letting them have it rather than risk being
hurt.