Keeping Safe - Crime Prevention - Surrey Police

Help for Elderly People

Many might think that elderly people are particularly at risk from crime. Statistically, this isn't true. Nevertheless, elderly people can feel vulnerable, and there are things you can do to protect elderly relatives or neighbours and to make them feel safer.

You could, for example, offer to make changes around the house to add to their security. You could make them aware of some of the points made here. Or, simply, you could just give some of your time - a visit can make some elderly people feel better, especially if they live alone.

If you are elderly yourself, how can you stay safe?

• Make sure you are safe when you are out
• Protect your personal possessions
• Never keep a large amount of money in the house, always put it in the bank, building society or post office. Don't keep your cheque book and cheque card together
• Keep an eye out for neighbours, and they will keep an eye out for you. If you see anything that worries you, tell the police. Join the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme, if there is one
• Never let strangers into your home, unless you're absolutely sure they are who they say they are. Use your spy-hole or door chain when checking. Legitimate service people will have an official identity card that they should show. Be careful of unscrupulous 'builders' who claim to have spotted something about your house that needs fixing, or 'salespeople' who want to buy or sell something. If in doubt, keep them out
• The best security equipment is useless unless it's used - always lock up, even if you're popping up to the local corner shop for a few minutes. You can find our more about Home Security by clicking here...

If You Have Been Attacked

Assaults and rapes are serious crimes, whether committed by a stranger or someone you know.

• Try to get to the nearest safe place, and call the police straight away.
• We realise this would be a very distraught time, but someone who is attacked could help the police catch the perpetrator by:
  • Taking the name and address of any witnesses
  • Trying to remember exactly what the attacker looked like
  • Noting details of the car, if the attacker used one
• You do not need to go to the police station to report an assault - you can be interviewed in your own home if you prefer. All crimes of this sort are dealt with sympathetically, regardless of sex.
• Your first reaction after an attack will be to wash - try not to if you can possibly help it, this will destroy vital evidence that could catch your attacker. An early medical examination is also important in the interest of your own health.
• Should the case come to trial, law will guarantee your anonymity if you are female, or under 18 years old.
• Sometimes, the violence takes place behind home's closed doors. In this case, legal protection is possible under either civil or criminal law. Read more on our Domestic Abuse page.

In the Car

• If you don't have one, think about buying a mobile phone.
• For long trips, keep a map handy and stick to the main roads. Have enough money for more fuel and carry a petrol can (but NEVER a full can, keep it empty).
• Keep a torch in the car.
• Don't pick up hitch-hikers - if you see someone who has broken down, drive to the next service station and phone the police.
• Lock all the doors while you are in the car, and keep any bags, phones or valuable out of site. If you want to open the window, only wind it down a small part of the way.
• If you're being followed, drive to a busy place, like a police or fire station, a hospital, or a pub. Draw attention to yourself with your headlights and horn.
• Think about where you are parking, especially after dark. Always keep your keys ready to get back into the car.
• In the case of a breakdown, find a telephone. On the motorways, follow the marker arrows to the closest emergency phone. Don't accept any lifts from strangers.

Keeping Your Children Safe

A playground bully, an adult stranger, even a familiar grown-up can represent a threat to a child - physically or sexually. Many children are now being taught how to stay safe, often through special lessons at school.

This is what the KIDSCAPE charity suggests that parents should teach their children:

• To be safe - this is their basic right
• To protect their own bodies
• To say no - it's okay to say no if someone is trying to hurt them
• To get help against bullies - but without fighting
• To tell - they can tell you anything and you will not be angry with them
• To be believed - they need to know they will be supported
• Don't keep secrets - some should never be kept
• To refuse touches - tell your children they can say no to touching and kissing if they don't like it
• Try not to talk to strangers
• To break the rules - if it means they will stay safe, they can run away, scream, lie or kick

It's very important not to leave small children in unsupervised play areas in shops and shopping centres. Stay with them all the time. Above all, don't ask strangers to keep an eye on them, for whatever reason.

With all children, teach them their address and phone number, so they can be brought back more easily if they get lost. You can also writer their name and address on a piece of paper they can keep on their person.

Teenagers

As we all know, teenagers need more freedom than younger children. They become increasingly independent from their families, they're social life expands and becomes more active, they might start to take up part-time jobs. It's difficult to always know exactly where they are or what they're up to. There are a number of tips they can follow, however, for their own safety and your peace of mind.

• Tell parents where you will be, and how to contact you if possible
• Go out accompanied with friends, especially at night, and come back with them
• If going far, and on your own, get a lift or taxi there and back
• If your lift back doesn't show up on time, find out why. Ask if you can stay a little longer until it does, or phone a taxi
• Don't take a lift with someone who's been drinking, or with someone you've just met
• When looking for a casual job, like babysitting, do it through family or friends. Be careful about answering advertisements - if you do answer an advert, go with a friend or family member on the first day
• If you are babysitting, make sure you have the number of the child's parents. If anyone comes to the house, don't let them in
• On a paper round, never go into stranger's house or take a lift

They might be expensive sometimes, but mobile phones can offer a link to added safety. It might be worth considering buying one for this reason alone.

Out and About

• If you have to walk home in the dark, get a personal attack alarm. Carry it in your hand so you can use it immediately if you have to. Make sure it's designed to continue sounding even if it is dropped.
• Carry your bag close to you, the clasp facing inwards. Your keys should be in your pocket. If someone grabs your bag, let it go - property can be replaced, safety comes first.
• If you think someone is following you, go to the nearest place where there are other people - a pub, or hotel, or anywhere with a lot of lights on - and call the police. Avoid using an enclosed phone box.
• Vary your routine if you go out jogging or cycling a lot. Stick to well-lit roads, and if in the park keep to open spaces and the paths. Be careful about wearing a personal stereo.
• Don't take short-cuts through dark alleys, parks or across waste ground. Walk facing the traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you.
• If in a wheelchair, don't keep your valuables at the back of the chair.
• Cover up expensive-looking jewellery.
• Don't hitch-hike or take lifts from strangers.
• Consider taking self-defence and self-awareness classes. They may help you feel more secure.

Taxis

• If you're going to be out late, try to arrange a lift or book a taxi. When the taxi arrives, check it is the one you ordered.
• If you pre-book your taxi, make a note of the company and telephone number, and leave them with a friend.
• Keep the number of a reputable taxi firm. Avoid mini-cabs or private hire cars that tout for business.
• Sit behind the driver.
• If you feel uneasy, ask to be let out in a well-lit area where there are other people.
• If in doubt, don't get into the taxi.

Public Transport

• Try and avoid isolated bus stops, especially after dark.
• On an empty bus, sit near the driver or conductor.
• On a train, sit with several other people. Check to see where the emergency chain is.

Safety At Home

• If you see signs of a break-in at your home, don't go in. Go to a neighbour or call the police.
• If you are selling your home, don't show people around on your own. Ask an estate agent to send a representative with anyone who wants to view your house.
• You should of course be extremely careful about letting people into your home if you do not know them particularly well. If you do and start to feel uneasy or threatened, don't hesitate to leave yourself, and go to a neighbour or friend.
• Are you expecting anybody? Do they have an appointment? Use a spy-hole or window to look.
• Secure the door bar or chain, before opening the front door. (Ensure the back door is locked as well.)
• Ask for the caller´s ID and check it carefully. Genuine callers will not mind being kept waiting. Ring the company or organisation they claim to represent using the number in the phone book; the number on the card may be false.
• Remember: IF IN DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT. Ask the person to call back when you have a friend with you. If you are suspicious and the caller will not leave, dial 999 immediately.

The Phone

• Use only your surname and initials in the telephone directory, on the doorplate, and, if you have one, beside an entry system button. That way a stranger won't know whether a man or woman lives there.
• When you answer the phone, simply say, "Hello." Don't give out your number, even if the caller claims to have dialled incorrectly and asks. Never say you are alone in the house.
• If you receive a threatening or abusive call, put the handset down, walk away, then come back a few minutes later to hang up without listening to see if the caller is still there. Don't say anything - an emotional reaction is what such callers are after.
• If threatening or abusive calls persist, keep a record of the date, time and content of each, and call the police or operator.

What Men Can Do

It can be easy to miss, but men can help by taking the issue of women's safety seriously in their everyday lives. By keeping these few points in mind, men might be removing any unnecessary worry or sense of vulnerability.

• Walking behind a woman on her own can cause anxiety that needn't be there. Reassure her by crossing the road.
• Likewise, don't sit too close to a woman on a bus or train if you can help it.
• If you're thinking of chatting to a woman at, say, a lonely bus stop, remember she won't know you mean no harm.
• Simple actions like staring, whistling, passing and comments can be very threatening to a woman, especially if you are with a group of other men.
• Help female friends or family by giving them a lift or walking them home if you can. Make sure they are safely indoors before you leave.
• Aggressive tones can be scary. If you find yourself getting angry or frustrated, find the time to cool down before continuing a discussion.
• Accept that "no" to a sexual advance means exactly that.