Nottinghamshire Police

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Out and about

• Before going out, make sure someone knows where you are going and what time you will be back home. Don’t forget to call them if your plans change or you are delayed
• You are safer in bright and busy areas. Avoid badly-lit alleyways, subways and deserted car parks. Wherever possible, walk with a friend or stay near a group of people
• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings. For example, if you’re out walking or jogging do not listen to a personal music player through headphones
• Try to look confident and like you know where you’re going. If you think you are being followed go to the busiest place you can find, such as a pub, or knock on somebody’s door
• Keep your wallet or purse in an inside pocket and out of sight to thieves. Pickpockets like busy shops, streets and bars. The same applies if you are travelling on a crowded bus, train or tram
• Avoid carrying more cash and valuables with you than is absolutely necessary. Spread any valuables you do have around your body. Put them in different pockets rather than all of them in a bag
• If you’re carrying a bag or briefcase make sure it is closed and carry it with the clasp facing towards you. Don’t keep your keys in your bag or briefcase; if it is snatched you won’t lose your keys as well
• If you use a wheelchair keep your valuables beside you, not at the back of the chair
• If you feel uncomfortable in any situation, such as a disturbance in the street, try to keep out of the way and get to a safe place
• If you’re walking alone at night, walk facing oncoming traffic so you can be seen and to make it more difficult for vehicles to pull up behind you
• If you are threatened or attacked, make as much noise as possible by shouting, screaming or, if you have one, setting off a personal attack alarm. You can buy an alarm from most DIY shops
• If someone tries to steal something from you, it may be better to let them take it rather than to get into a confrontation and risk injury
• You can use reasonable force to defend yourself. The law does not allow you to carry a weapon but you are allowed to protect yourself with something you may be carrying anyway, such as keys, an umbrella or even a perfume spray or hairspray