Safety Advice

Mobile Phones:
If you’re making a mobile phone call you are less aware of your surroundings; this leaves you vulnerable to thieves and it is incredibly easy to snatch a phone out of someone’s hands. If you need to make or receive a call stand still while you do so, so you can pay more attention to what’s going on around you.

Laptops:
Carrying a laptop in a laptop bag is advertising to potential thieves that you have £1000 worth of computer equipment. Instead of using a laptop bag carry it in a rucksack or sports bag to hide the shape.

iPods:
If you have an iPod avoid using the white earphones as this is, again, advertising what you have – standard black earphones may not be as sexy, but they are definitely safer!

Avoid carrying your wallet in your back pocket.

When carrying bags, try to have the opening facing into your body – this makes it harder for someone to grab something from inside your bag.

When travelling by foot:

Avoid walking home at night – try and stay in a group as much as possible; avoid dimly lit areas and short cuts.

Avoid using empty subways by yourself, particularly if they are long or you cannot see all the way through it.

Walk with confidence!
If you ever feel that you are being followed, initially try crossing over the road. If they cross with you try to make towards a busy public area and then ask for help.

When travelling by public transport:

If travelling by bus: sit close to the driver where possible or in view of the CCTV if present, and avoid sitting upstairs if you are by yourself. Check service times before leaving to avoid waiting at bus-stops for long periods.

If travelling by train:
Choose to sit in a carriage with and near to other people.