Staying Safe and Secure.

Almost half of all vehicle thefts are carried out by criminals who have gained access to the victim’s keys. This can either be by the keys being lifted from the owner’s person, e.g. pockets or picked, or handbags stolen, or from the owner’s home. I am constantly finding homes where keys are left on the inside of the front door or placed on a unit near to the front door. With telescopic magnets now easily available, these are very easy for thieves to get at and steal your car from outside your house.
I know it is very convenient to have your keys to hand as you leave the house, but please put them in a draw, or have some sort of barrier that hides them from any line of sight through your letterbox. (Not forgetting that a small mirror can be used to see anything to the sides.)
This does not just apply to the cars either; If a would-be burglar can see your keys on the inside of your door, he can get them and gain entry – thus making even the best of locks worthless. I have used this method several times when people have locked themselves out, I may be a professional locksmith but if I can do this then others can too! It is just too easy for those with a bit of knowledge or determination to do.

When you are out, there are some other ways to protect yourself. The busy shopping period is now in full swing and crowded shopping centres are a haven for light fingered pick-pockets and bag snatchers so here are some useful tips:

• Put your wallet in a different pocket to your usual one – the different feel will hopefully alert you if someone tries to take it.
• A karabiner style keyring that screws up, attached to your belt loop, will make keys harder to snatch. You can attach this via a cord to your keys in your pocket.
• Only take what you really need in your handbag – address books and personal information should be left at home, if possible. If you lose your bag with keys and your home information you will have to change your locks.
• Check wallets and purses for sensitive information. Is your credit card pin number hidden inside the same wallet as your card?
• Keep cards and cash in separate pockets and wallets – this way if one gets stolen you still have the other for emergency use.
• Look around and behind you before entering your pin into any terminal. Take the time to see if anyone is interested in what you are typing.
• Keep a tight hold on the strap of your bag, or if you are carrying lots of bags of shopping, put your handbag into one of the shopping bags so it is not easy to snatch from your shoulder.
• If you have a personal alarm, don’t carry it in the depths of your handbag. Make sure it is in easy quick reach so that you may get to it quickly should you need it.
• Regularly check your pockets for your valuables. Pat your pockets, etc.
• It’s great to look nice when you are out, but is it worth advertising your personal wealth and making you a target? Make regular trips to lock away your shopping in your car so you are not carrying too much. A laden, smart dressed shopper is a more obvious target.
• If you leave stuff in your car, make sure it is hidden in the boot and that you have a parcel shelf (if you have an estate or hatch back).
• Show your car is well protected by investing in bright coloured steering locks, etc that can be seen from a distance and stop the opportunist singling out your vehicle.
• Be wary of groups milling around or anyone looking remotely suspicious.

There are also ways to look after your personal safety as the party season gets into full swing.

• Don’t make yourself a target by going off on your own.
• If you do have to go home alone, keep to lighted areas even if it means an extra ten minutes to your route.
• Make a mental note of where to find places with more people. If you feel you are being followed, the nearest late night take away might be a safe haven until the danger has passed.
• Always keep enough money back for a cab.
• Only use licensed cabs.
• If your friends have a tendency to go off with others and leave you alone then ditch them and find friends who are not so selfish as to leave you vulnerable.
• If it’s your young adults that are out then try be understanding. Better you get out of bed at 4.00am to pick them up and know they are safe, than get up at 6.00am to find the police at your door.  
• If for any reason you are being attacked, try and get an object like a car between you and your attacker, so you can see them and whichever way they go, you can just circle the car to get away.
• In the worst case scenario, shout “Fire!” repeatedly. People are more likely to look out of their windows if there is a chance of personal danger.

There are obviously many more tips on staying safe personally but using common sense is your best ally. It would be great to live in a completely safe world but by using common sense, we become less of a target. Although no-one should ever blame themselves for what has happened to them, almost every victim can say: “If only I had not done this….” or “If only I had done…” and those sentences usually finish with something very basic and sensible.

Be safe this winter and thanks for reading