Personal safety in public places

Personal safety in public is largely a matter of habit rather than vigilance. A small number of routines reduce everyday risk without requiring you to be anxious.

Attention

The most common factor in street theft is absorbed attention — a phone held up while walking, headphones at volume in an unfamiliar area. Keep your route and surroundings in view, particularly at junctions, transport stops and ATM points.

Valuables

• Carry only what you need. Leave what you do not need secured.
• Do not count money in the open, particularly at or near an ATM.
• Keep a phone in an inside pocket rather than in a hand or back pocket.

Transport

Use recognised ranks and parks. For app-based transport, confirm the vehicle and registration against the booking before entering, and share the trip with someone. Avoid boarding a vehicle that already contains passengers you did not expect.

If you are confronted

Property can be replaced. Do not resist a demand for property where force is threatened. Create distance, get to a populated or lit area, and report at the nearest division with as precise a description as you can manage — direction of travel, clothing, vehicle details.