Stay Safe During The Holidays

November 30, 2009 by: AmericanCitizenServices

Tips for you and your family to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime over the upcoming festive period.

With any downturn in the economy there is always a rise in crime – and theft and burglary are crimes that are the most common in the run up to the Holidays. Our office sees people nearly every day who are the victims of pickpockets. It’s never too early to think about personal safety. In the following pages there are a few useful tips to help you and your family to enjoy a crime free holiday period.

SHOPPING

Ensure your purse and wallet are secure, any flaps or zips on purses should be secured to prevent pickpockets from targeting you. You might want to spread your valuables around your body, i.e. cell phone in a coat pocket and house keys in another.

Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you when in crowded areas like Oxford Street.

Always try to use a cash machine inside a bank, as they are monitored by CCTV, are located near staff members, and are the least likely to be targeted by thieves.

When using cash machine always be aware of the people around you – if you are with a friend ask him or her to face any queue or persons behind you to help mask your pin code as you enter it.

If you feel pressurized or uncomfortable by people around a cash machine, cancel the transaction, take your card, and use another machine elsewhere.

Use cash for transactions where possible to avoid having to use your credit card and PIN in shopping outlets. Remember always to cover the keypad with your other hand when entering your PIN to prevent prying eyes from seeing it.

Try not to advertize that you have bought expensive items such as mobile phones, iPods, or game consoles – take nondescript carrier bags with you and use them instead of the branded bags for the journey home.

Try not to advertize your personal valuables such as expensive jewelry, watches, mp3 players, and mobile phones while out walking or shopping. Remember, wearing headphones takes one of your senses away and you can’t hear what is around you.

AT HOME

Thieves target insecure houses. On leaving your house, ensure all windows are closed and locked. If you have grilles or sliding gates, close and lock them.

Double lock your front doors – use both locks EVERY TIME you leave the house.

Don’t leave any sheds containing garden tools or ladders unsecured, as these can be used by burglars to gain access to upper floors or lever windows.

Don’t leave spare keys outside under a brick or in a garage or shed. Also ensure you put car keys, garage keys, and remotes out of sight inside the house – never leave them in the open on the inside of your front entrance.

Don’t leave your Christmas tree and presents on show when away from the house – ensure curtains are drawn.

If you have a card posted through your door stating PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to phone the following number, 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number) to arrange re-deliver, DO NOT CALL. This is a mail scam originating in Belize. If you call the number you will hear a recorded message that will cost you a minimum of £15.

All genuine Royal Mail cards are red and give an address from which to collect the parcel as well as a contact number.

Once the Christmas presents have been opened, don’t leave large unwanted packaging advertising computer game consuls, flat screen TVs, iPods, or mobile phones, etc., out for the garbage collector as thieves note the addresses for future attention. Either place them in black sacks or find out where your nearest municipal rubbish dump is and take them there yourself.

Beware of bogus callers to the house. Check the identity of all callers– if they are from the utility companies they will have identification and a free phone number you can call to clarify their identity.

If in doubt keep them out – make an appointment with the utility company so they visit at your convenience. You can now set up a password system with the utility companies so when they call you know it’s them.

Any person entering your house should be accompanied at all times.

You would be lost without your mobile phone if it was stolen – please note your handset’s registration number (IMEI – this is a 15-digit number unique to your handset. If you put *#06# into the keypad it will give you your IMEI number – this is the first number the police check when recovering stolen cell phones).

SOCIALIZING

The holidays are a time for socializing; keep in mind, however, that thieves often target bars and restaurants where people are enjoying a relaxing drink after work.

Ensure your purse and wallet are with you at all times; do not leave them unattended.

Most West End pubs and bars have ‘Chelsea clips’ under the tables where you can hang your purse and it cannot be removed without the use of two hands, making it harder for a criminal to ‘lift’ it.

Always plan your evenings, know where a venue is and what underground station or bus route it is near, and always tell a family member where you are going and what time you will be expected home.

If you are going to be out late, try to arrange a lift home or book a taxi. Check that the taxi that arrives is the one you ordered.

If you can pre-book your taxi, make a note of the company you are using and the phone number, and leave it with a friend.

Always keep the number of a reliable firm handy. Avoid mini cabs or private hire cars that ‘tout’ for business and are unlicensed.

If you find yourself in an area you are not familiar with and you don’t know a reliable cab firm, use the CABWISE service. Text HOME to 60835 and they will send you a text with a choice of two local licensed companies in the area.

VEHICLES

Lock the doors and close the windows and sunroof when you leave the car – for any length of time.

Don’t leave anything on display – even a jacket can seem like an appealing target for a thief.

Remove the stereo or stereo face-plate if you can.

Remove satellite navigation devices where possible, including the support cradle and suction pad. Remember to wipe away any suction pad marks left on the windscreen or dashboard .

Tuck in wing mirrors and put the aerial down to discourage vandals.

Never store the car’s documents in the vehicle.

When the car is parked outside your house do not leave any garage keys, remote controls, or house keys in the vehicle.

Always ensure your house and car keys are out of sight inside the house.

When visiting friends or attending functions, plan your journey and make sure your car is well maintained and has sufficient petrol for the journey and return.

Try to park in well-lit or busy areas. If you park during the day, think about what the area will feel like after dark.

Use parking lots approved under the police Safer Parking Scheme. These display the Park Mark® sign and can be found at www.saferparking.com

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

As with everything, you are safest where there are other people and where it is well lit.

Plan your route and let a friend or relative know it.

Purchase an Oyster card in advance.

Try to wait in busy, well-lit areas.

Sit near other people, near the driver if you are on a bus or near the guard if you are on a main line train. Do not sit on the top deck of a bus, you will be at greater risk.