Crime prevention advice

Tips and Advice

We have put together some tips and advice on how to keep yourself safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime

• stay in bright, well lit and busy areas
• try to look and act confident - look like you know where you are going and walk tall
• spread your valuables around your body - i.e keep your phone in your bag, keys in your pocket and wallet inside your jacket
• don't put your valuables on show - for example, talking on your mobile is an invitation for a thief

Young people

Tell other people what your plans are. Always take care when you are walking on your own or using public transport. Be careful with your personal possessions, especially your mobile phone and MP3 player.

More advice for young people can be found on Southwark's youth website, www.whtvr.org.uk.

Students

One in three students becomes a victim of crime each year of university. Robbery and mobile phone theft are the most common crimes against students.

Always keep your flat or room locked, even if you are not going out for long. Don't leave notes on your door saying back in five minutes, that's an open invitation for a thief.

Older people

If you are an older person, you have more chance of being targeted by bogus callers. These are people who knock on your door pretending that they are from the water board. They often create a distraction while their accomplice robs the property.

Travelling abroad

You should follow the tips to keep safe at home, although there are some things you can do to avoid crime ruining your holiday

• find out the phone number of the British consulate before you go
• go armed with some phrases in case you do get into trouble
• keep photocopies of important documents like passports separate from originals, and tell the consulate immediately if anything is stolen
• tell the consulate if you are assaulted, especially if you have to go to hospital
• never travel without insurance
• if you are driving a vehicle on your holiday, check the road rules before you go
• it is a legal requirement to display a GB sticker if you are driving your own car overseas

Drugs advice

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 is the main legislation covering drugs. It puts drug into different categories, known as Class A, B and C. Drugs regulated in this way are known as 'controlled' substances. Class A drugs are those considered to be the most harmful.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act it is an offence to

• possess a controlled substance
• possess a controlled substance with the intent to supply
• unlawfully supply a controlled drug (even when there's no charge made for the drug)
• allow premises you occupy or manage to be used for the purpose of drug taking

Useful information

There is plenty of useful information on the following websites to help reduce the risk of being victim to crime

• Home Office crime 
  offer comprehensive crime prevention advice covering everything from protecting your home, your family and your property, to keeping safe on the street
• Home Office student safety
  contains advice for students from the former good2bsecure website
• BBC
  have advice on protecting you and your family. Try their interactive quizzes on protecting your car and your home
• Metropolitan Police
  has advice on protecting yourself
• The Suzy Lamplugh Trust
  is a national charity providing practical personal safety advice
• Help the Aged
  has a range of services to older people