Section 4 – Safety & Security

It is really important to keep yourself and your home safe. You may have moved into an area that you do not know and this could be scary for you. Try and go out and explore where you live so you are confident to go to different places. You could also speak with family member, support worker, your local CAB or someone you trust and they may go with you for extra support. Listed below is some general safety advice, please take time to read through it.

General tips to stay safe and secure

Here are some tips to follow if you are out and about:

• Stay alert – awareness is your best defence.
• Travel with friends where possible, especially at night.
• Try to stay in well-lit areas.
• Be confident – even if you don’t feel it.
• Take the safest route possible, and try to stay in well-lit area where other people are around.
• Trust your instincts – if you think something is wrong then act on it.
• Have your keys available when you reach your home or car.
• Keep money for taxis, plan ahead and always make sure to keep enough money to get home.
• Carry a personal alarm and use it when necessary.
• If possible always let someone you trust know where you are going.
• Always bear in mind being under the influence or alcohol or substances can impair your judgement and make you more judgement.

If you are a victim of something that threatens your safety & security

• Get help immediately.
• In an emergency dial 999 or 101.
• Make as much noise as you can to alert people.
• As soon as you can, go somewhere you know is safe.
• If you have been attacked, don’t shower or change your clothes as it may destroy evidence.
• If you have the confidence, tell the police why you think you were attacked.
• If you have had your keys taken, look to have the locks changed.
• Don’t drink alcohol or take substances after an incident – you need to give a clear account of what happened.
• If you want to stay anonymous or you do not have the confidence to tell the police you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.  Use a third party reporting centre, the self-reporting form or the online reporting facility on Crimestoppers website.  Website address is. www.crimestoppers-uk.org

If you are a witness to a crime or incident

• Call 999 or 101
• Let the police know what you’ve seen.  Don’t assume others will come forward. Many crucial witnesses walk away thinking someone else will report it.
• Stay alert and safe.
• Don’t physically intervene – you could get hurt yourself.
• If it is safe to do so, take a photograph or video on your mobile phone.
  Remember, however, that the police are likely to need your phone as evidence.
• Record details of times, number plates, descriptions and so on.  If you don’t have a pen with you, leave a voicemail message on your mobile phone or write a draft text message.  As soon as you can find a pen and paper, write down the information in as much detail as possible.
• If you want to stay anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or use the self-reporting form or online reporting facility on this website.

Internet safety tips

Here are some useful tips for keeping safe on the Internet:

• The Internet provides endless opportunities to meet people from all over the world.  You must however remember to use common sense.  It is easy to get swept-up into a fantasy world, but reality requires us to use caution.
• Do not give out personal details, photographs, or any other information that could be used to identify you, your family, or where you live.
• Do not take other people at face value – they may not be what they seem.
• Never arrange to meet someone you’ve only ever previously met on the Internet, without telling a friend and giving them as much detail as possible about the person that you’re meeting and where. If you chose to meet someone you’ve only ever met online, general advice is to make it a public place and tell someone where you are going and who you are meeting or take them with you.
• Do not open an attachment or download a file unless you know and trust the person who has sent it.
• Never respond directly to anything you find disturbing when using the Internet or email.  Log off, and report it.