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You are here: Home /  People & Community /  Community Safety /  Crime Prevention /  Personal Safety

Personal Safety

• Use only your surname and initials in the telephone directory and on the doorplate. That way a stranger won't know if a man or a woman lives there.
  
• If you see signs of a break-in at your home, like a smashed window or open door, don't go in. Go to a neighbour and call the police.
  
• If you are selling your home, don't show people around on your own. Ask your estate agent to send a representative with anyone who wants to view your house.
  
• When you answer the phone, simply say 'hello'; don't give your number. If the caller claims to have a wrong number, ask him or her to repeat the number required. Never reveal any information about yourself to a stranger and never say you are alone in the house.
  
• If you receive an abusive or threatening phone call, put the receiver down beside the phone, and walk away. Come back a few minutes later and replace the receiver; don't listen to see if the caller is still there. Don't say anything - an emotional reaction is just what the caller wants. This allows the caller to say what he or she wants to say, without causing distress to you. If the calls continue, tell the police and the operator and keep a record of the date, time and content of each phone call. This may help the authorities trace the caller.
  
• When parking in a public car park - look for one that is well supervised, with restricted entry and exit points, good lighting and security cameras. In multi-storey car parks, choose a widely visible bay.
  
• Car parks can be a target for thieves and a source of fear for many people. A police scheme - 'Secured Car Parks' - aims to make car parks safer, more attractive places - by setting high crime prevention standards of internal design and layout. Those measuring up are entitled to display the official gold or silver 'Secured Car Parks' emblem. To find out about 'Secured Car Parks' in your area, contact the crime prevention officer at your local police station.
  
• Mobile Phones- every mobile phone has a unique IMEI number - Dial*#06# to get yours and make a note of it so that if it is stolen, you can give it to the police to help recover, or to your service provider to stop the phone being used by anyone else.