Personal safety
Below you’ll find some simple precautions you can take to improve your personal safety.
Be aware of your surroundings
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially when using a personal stereo, mobile phone or cash points.
- Avoid short cuts and alleyways – stick to the busy routes. You will be safest in bright, well-lit and busy areas.
- When out walking or jogging, avoid listening to a personal stereo through headphones, so you can stay more alert to your surroundings.
- Try to look and act confident – walk tall, look like you know where you are and where you are going.
- If you think you're being followed on foot, cross a road and keep walking. If you still think you're being followed, make for somewhere busy and well lit. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Use licensed taxis
- Always use a licensed taxi, minicab, nightbus or the Tube to get home. Text HOME to 60835 to get the number of one taxi and two licensed minicab firms wherever you are (see our Cabwise page for more information on this service).
- Both men and women should always get a licensed taxi or go home together late at night – don’t walk alone.
Be careful with your valuable items
- Always keep sight of your valuables such as your bag and mobile phone. Don’t leave them unattended on tables or hung on the back of chairs.
- Keep your bag and wallet secure in busy places where you suspect pickpockets may operate.
- You might like to spread your valuables around your body. For example, keep your phone in your bag, your house keys in your trouser pocket and your money in your jacket.
- If someone tries to take something from you, it might be better to let them take it than to get into a confrontation and risk injury.
- If you use a wheelchair, keep your things beside you rather than at the back of the chair.
- Try not to be conspicuous about the valuables you are carrying. Talking on your mobile phone, carrying a laptop or being careless around cash points give thieves an opportunity.
Return to main safety advice page.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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