Low Cost Security

Welcome. I’m going to show you how to defend yourself, your family and your home. Please believe me when I say that you underestimate the importance of this at your own risk.

The reason you enjoy a relatively low crime rate currently is that times have been good. Even during the recent years of prosperity you will have noticed a worrying trend hidden behind the crime statistics: anger and jealousy. If your home is burgled these days, it’s not enough for the thugs to simply take your belongings- they have to vandalize the place too. Why? To make a statement:

“You’ve got more than us. You are the lucky ones. You only became prosperous by exploiting us. Now you’re going to pay.”

By the way, "the lucky ones"’ are just about anyone with a half-decent home and a job! This delusional thinking is dangerous in extremes.

Drugs are at the heart of much crime and people will turn to them even more when they are down on their luck. If you believe all the propaganda about the war on drugs being won, you’re not being realistic. The cocaine trade in America alone is worth $95 billion each year- more than the value of Saudi Arabia’s oil industry. Police forces can and are bought. Hit-men are used for non-compliance. The drug lords are the richest people on the planet- richer than governments- and they aren’t going away.

And then there is the looming social security crisis. The government has removed the safety net of paying peoples’ mortgages if they lose their jobs. This will mean more angry people due to higher repossessions. Further, redundancies and business failure mean less tax. Less tax not only means less social security, it also means lower police budgets!

In short, you need to do three things:

You need to get out of the "it’ll never happen to me" mind set. This makes you vulnerable as you will see.

You need to understand just how bad things could get and that the only person you will be able to count on is you. The police won’t be around.

You need to prepare. That’s why I’m here.

People in general take an interest in security after they’ve been a victim. They all thought it wouldn’t happen to them.

According to psychologists who work with victims, those who had their homes invaded often experience far more trauma than those who are victimized elsewhere. Anxiety attacks afterwards are very common. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the most under-diagnosed of the major psychiatric clinical syndromes.

The risk you face is a real one and sticking your head in the sand is one sure way to make sure you have a nightmare you have to live with your whole life. During the LA riots in 1992, Korean merchants were targeted especially. The Koreans patrolled their roofs with shotguns. The rioters went elsewhere.

It’s time to leave Disneyworld behind and realize that there are some deranged people out there. Face it before they face you.

You’re going to have to forget everything you see on TV because it’s laughed at by criminals and police alike. I’ve personally interviewed both parties to bring you a lot of this information. Prepare to witness a side of humanity you’ve never known. You won’t realize what a sheltered life you’ve had until you come with me on this journey. And you must come. It’s imperative that you understand who your likely assailants are and what makes them tick so you are prepared.

Home Ground

Right, let’s get moving! We’re going to start with home security as a way of breaking you in gently! Sure, you all know that you should lock your doors and have an alarm fitted blah, blah. The thing is, there’s far more to it in the current climate.

There are three dangers you face in an economic upheaval: burglars, rapists and rioting mobs. The first two are obviously more cunning and subtle in their approach. They both have something in common also: opportunism.

They both want a "quick fix". Always remember that anyone who takes money or sex by force is extremely lazy- otherwise they would get a job/find a girlfriend etc. and do things the hard way. They want an easy life and this is precisely what so many folk give them. So the essence of home security is to make the whole proposition look as unattractive as possible in the first place.

Amazingly enough, most burglaries are committed between 12 and 3 in the afternoon! It makes sense when you think about it- everyone’s at work. So don’t assume things are safe just because the sun’s up.

The Basics…or are they?

There are three lines of defense:

Deterrent.
External defense.
Internal defense.

Deterrent is what we’re looking at now. There are some very inexpensive ways of making the scum move on to the next house. Let’s look at this from the criminal’s perspective. Here’s what he’s looking for initially:

No cars in the driveway.

No lights on.

Papers and letters not pushed through the letterbox fully.

No sign of alarm fitted.

Cover- bushes, alleyways, rear entrances.

No evidence of dogs.
No sign of noise from within.

Money, high-tech items or jewelry on display.

Spare-keys hidden in obvious places like under mats and plant pots etc.

Open curtains at night.

Open windows or windows of a weak structure/broken.

You can counter most of these inexpensively. For example, you don’t need to buy a dog- just fit a ‘Beware of the Dog’ sign on the gate. You see, it’s about creating just one more inconvenience. At this stage of the game you want the scum to just move on to somewhere else- remember they don’t want to have to work for a living. Leave a radio on as a matter of habit, light your alleyways, cut back your bushes, don’t leave anything tempting on display and you’re a good way toward deterring them. Oh, and fit a ‘peephole’.

Alarms- Fact & Fiction

It is now widely believed that simply fitted a so-called ‘dummy box’ to the outside of the home is a good deterrent and cheap more to the point. The reality is that this will deter only the laziest of intruders. They’ve got wise now. All they have to do is look in one of the windows (remember in daytime the curtains are open) for one of the sensors in the corner. If not, chances are you have a dummy box!

Of course, what’s to stop you having dummy sensors fitted too? Nothing, only if the intruder breaks in anyway, perhaps without noticing the alarm sensors, there will be a lot of noise and attention drawn to him with a real alarm, and they don’t want that.

At the other extreme from the ‘cheapskates’ are the ultra-expensive alarms linked directly to the police station. You do get what you pay for, but does the extra cost justify this? Will the police in your area respond quickly enough? Is the intruder aware of this extra feature? This is an individual decision based on your area and budget, but at the very least, have an actual alarm fitted with a sensor in each downstairs room and on the upstairs landing.

Okay, we’ve made your house a little unappealing. But that’s it. Although very important, we’re assuming that the intruder is not high on drugs or completely drunk. It’s time to move on to external defense. Now the gloves are off. This sorry excuse for a human has decided to enter your home anyway. What do they want? Money, sex, both? Who knows? And more importantly, who cares? They’ve no right entering your home and that’s all there is to it.

In the next part of ‘Safe & Secure’ we’ll continue this and get inside the minds of the criminals and reveal some of the more little-known secrets about home security.

Safe & Secure: Part Two

Last time we talked about deterrents to intruders. This is our first line of defense- the aim should primarily be to make them move on to the next house. These people are especially lazy, so use this fact against them. Let’s look more at the profile of burglars and their habits and how we can deter them:

Burglaries increase dramatically during holidays especially New Year.

They are usually high on drugs or doing this to pay for their habit. This makes them audaciously stupid which is why deterrent is not enough on its own!

Aside from the obvious deterrents of locked doors and windows, a gravel driveway, a dog, an alarm and comprehensive exterior lighting will make the vast majority walk away.

If you are a woman on your own and weren’t expecting a gas man or whatever, tell them to come back when your partner is home. Fake I.D.’s are no problem in the computer age.

Burglars tend to park their car (usually stolen) some way from the target house. They then proceed to knock on the door. If someone answers they’ll pretend they’ve got the wrong house by saying something like, “Hi is Pete there?” Clearly, this appears totally innocent but if there’s no reply they know that the house is empty! If this ever happens to you, 99% chance it was a burglar. Another ploy is to pretend to be selling something.

The most successful burglars work during the day between 12 and 3 in the afternoon and will go for easily tradable items such as cash and jewelry. This is very easy to carry also. Many long-term thieves see this as being their golden rule- never steal anything that doesn’t fit in your pocket.

Don’t depend on the police. Practiced burglars will carry a police radio scanner with them, so they know if they’re on their way.

Want to know another inside trick? Thieves know only to steal one credit card from wallets and purses and leave the purse behind. This way, you won’t report anything stolen and the crook will have plenty of time to use your card! Always check your cards.

Wooden window frames are no deterrent whatsoever. Skylights are another open invitation.

If you have perimeter walls or fencing, have them floodlit. Barbed wire is no deterrent. A simple cardboard box or a blanket allows easy passage over the top of it.

Don’t leave rubbish bins outside. It tells them you’re away and also can be used as a climbing aid to scale walls.

Police recommend dogs are the best deterrent and defense. Dogs perceive you as a member of their ‘pack’ and your home is the ‘den’. They will generally defend both at any cost. German Shepherds are especially good. Bear in mind that as dogs get older, their senses decline. At this stage, bring in reinforcements in the form of a new dog to help out the old timer. Please treat dogs with sensitivity and as one of your family rather than leave them out in the garden the whole time- this will also make them more loyal.

A home can be made to have a more foreboding appearance in a psychological way. Iron fences and gates for example should be black instead of white. Stone cladding and such all give the property a sense of ‘heaviness’.

Okay, now we’re going to assume that our intruder is so drugged up to the eyeballs that he either doesn’t care about your deterrents or doesn’t notice them. Even if he isn’t on drugs, some burglars will try it on anyway so we must now consider external defense.

A common break in point is patio doors. Burglars love them - all they do is lift them out, but you can get around this in two ways. First, you can fit a removable metal brace on the runner track inside the doors. Second, you can have the fitting rearranged so that the sliding door is fitted inside, not outside of the stationery door.

All outside doors should ideally have metal frames, solid doors and dead-bolts. Decorative glass in doors may look pretty but this is an open invitation.

All windows should have window locks. And you must use them!

Door chains are a waste of time- a simple kick and they’re busted once you open that door. If you want to see who the visitor is, look through a spy-hole and converse through the door.

Garages are another favorite incursion point. Keep the door closed when not in use and lock it. If it is an integral garage, the door from the house should be solid, metal framed and with the hinge pins inside the house.

Don’t assume that the only way to break in is from the ground floor. Upstairs windows should be just as well defended as downstairs. As already mentioned, upstairs should also have alarm sensors.

Now we must consider the worst case scenario. The villain has not been deterred and has actually managed to break an entry. Time to move on to internal defense.

Be clear about something. If someone breaks into your home while you are in it you must consider these important three things:

They are most likely armed with a weapon such as a knife.

They are probably on drugs.

They do not think of you as a person- if you get in their way you get all you deserve is their view.

In other words, DO NOT attempt to be a hero unless the safety of you or your family is in direct danger (more on this in the next lesson). Night time burglars know that people are in and are ready for trouble, so be warned. Here’s what you should do:

Quietly move into a room that has a lock (more on this shortly).

Keep a mobile phone in that room and use it to quietly call the police and a friend or relative.

Next, make noise. Call out as if telling someone to do something like go back to sleep. Many burglars will simply run away if they think you’re awake but haven’t noticed them.

Designate one room in the house that is a ‘safe room’. This room is the place that you move yourself and your family into if the house is invaded by an intruder. You should be able to easily move to that room so should be accessible.

The door to it should be of solid wood and have metal frames with the hinge pins on the inside. It should have dead bolts. If any adjacent rooms have plasterboard walls that would allow easy penetration into your safe room, have them reinforced with concrete.

Keep an emergency mobile phone in the room along with its battery charger. A small supply of food and medicine is not a bad idea either along with something to defend yourself with (more about this next time). An escape route from the safe room is also ideal. You should also keep blankets and a fire extinguisher in the room.

Now, we’ll think about the unthinkable…..

Safe & Secure: Part Three

So we’ve covered deterrent, external defense and internal defense. I hope you see the importance of avoiding any conflict- the priority must be the preservation of you and your family. Unfortunately, the current law of the US is an absolute joke in this matter. The law states that citizens may use a reasonable amount of force to defend themselves and their property. ‘A reasonable amount of force’ is defined by the lawyers and jury on the day of the court case.

Even though this is a very subjective and vague area, let me shed a little perspective on it. If an intruder entered your home and you hit him on the head with a heavy object and it killed him (quite possible) you would probably be charged with manslaughter. The reasons I made it so clear last time about just locking yourself in a ‘safe room’ and calling the police rather than intervening are twofold:

The intruder is probably on drugs and more used to violence than you are. He is likely to be carrying a weapon of some sort for protection.

If you do intervene and kill or severely injure him, you could go to prison and the intruder may end up owning your home.

It’s common sense people. Guys, lose the macho act and get real. Stop watching all the movies. The best protection you can give your family is to make sure you’re always there to provide for them and this means staying alive.

Keeping you and your family from harm is the ultimate goal at this stage in the game. An intruder is in your home and they have no right being there. However, having a ‘safe room’ is all very well, but what if you don’t get a chance to make it there? What if you come face to face with the intruder? Show them the money and send them on their way. However, if harm to anyone is appearing imminent it’s time to act. Forget the law at this point; better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

We’re going to think about the unthinkable now. We’re talking last resorts. We’re talking self-defense.

Self-Defense: Fact & Fiction

The techniques I will be showing you here are about defending yourself in any situation. They are not to be used for deliberately inflicting harm on innocents.

Once again, television has done us a great injustice. The sort of fights you watch on a Saturday night are more like a rigged boxing match! Martial arts? Forget it! Coordinated moves in a controlled environment with rules of conduct have no place here. You need to learn street fighting techniques to survive in a situation like this.

The first rule of street fighting is simple but surprising: Run away. Avoid trouble in the first place. Stay away from trouble spots, keep your car doors locked and walk away from any possible sign of conflict. Someone knocks your drink over in a bar and tells you to “watch it”? Just walk away. The best place to be when it hits the fan is somewhere else!

Sorry if I’m disappointing anyone out there expecting a few Bruce Lee moves, but the only thing I’m concerned with is your safety and the simplest way to do this is to not engage in any activities that could lead to conflict. I’m going to be deflating a little bit more of that medallion-clad chest of yours by dispelling a few more myths.

Clearly, if you are in this situation in your own home, you quite possibly have no way to run away and have to face the situation. You may be cornered in an alley, whatever. But you must be clear that an escape is the only thing self-defense is concerned with- it may well mean physical violence on your part but only as a means of running away. Are we clear on this?! Excellent, now let’s move on to these methods of creating an escape and street fighting. Time for a few facts:

A real fight rarely lasts any longer than 20 seconds. It is not a game. No rules.

Human behavior cannot be predicted in a stressful situation. This is one of the reasons why martial arts are of such limited use.

Almost 90% of those arrested for violent crimes are males aged 25-29 and a disproportionate number are from racial minorities. Fact not racism.

Up to 50% of robberies and assaults are committed by more than one person.

They generally have low I.Q.s and come from low-income housing and very influenced by their families’ criminal behavior.

The ‘people’ you are forced to defend yourself against are not reasonable and only understand one language; violence.

Warning signs

Be aware of your environment. I’m not asking you to be paranoid, just don’t walk around in a day-dream. Bad places look like bad places. Trust your instincts. Villains do and they can spot the naïve victim a mile off. In pure predatory style, they zoom in on weakness.

If you observe a group of people talking, looking and pointing at you occasionally, chances are you’re being set up. Move away.

Don’t underestimate anyone who is drunk- their pain threshold is much higher.

Drug addicts give-aways: enlarged or pin-point pupils. Babbling and incoherent but not as in a drunk way. He will be in pain most probably and look to be in poor health. Capable of extreme violence but will lack stamina in a chase.

Gangs of young women are often just as capable of violence as gangs of men.

When using mini-cabs be sure to use one you know. Do not get into an unlicensed cab. If on a late-night bus don’t sit upstairs, sit near the driver.

When stopping in traffic always leave enough space between you and the car in front to be able to pull out. This is the first rule in bodyguard driver school. Never stop for hitch-hikers and women, don’t leave anything on show in a parked car that gives away that you are a female.

In an unfamiliar city, never look lost or indecisive. If a car stops and asks you for directions, never put your head inside the car window.

Avoid people displaying the following predatory body language: puffed up chest, swaggering walk, broadened shoulders and tensed muscles.

More myths. The person who is red-faced and shouting abuse at you is not the one to be frightened of, although it’s still best to avoid them. This person is actually making all this fuss because he subconsciously doesn’t want to fight you - he is just warning you off.

No, the person to really watch is the silent one. They won’t make eye contact. Their face won’t be red, but rather a pasty color from cold calmness. They are silent.

Frightened? Then you’ve just made your first mistake…

Safe & Secure: Part Four

We’re talking self-defense now. You are in a situation where escaping is not an option because someone won’t let you. As soon as escape does become available you do so. You’re now going to learn street fighting techniques.

Now when I say street fighting, I’m not encouraging you to become a football hooligan or a member of street gang, but just simply to be realistic about life in this situation. There is no honor here. No code of conduct. No such thing as fighting dirty. It’s about immobilizing your attacker as quickly as possible to allow you an opportunity to run.

This is not aimed just at girls- guys, you do the same. Your pride may be hurt but at least you’re alive, and don’t let the presence of a female partner appeal to macho stupidity. Just remember that some of the best military strategists in history ordered tactical withdrawals at some time.

So how do you do this? Your attacker may be armed. He may be bigger than you. He’s certainly more used to violence than you. And so what! So you’re just going to let him harm or possibly kill you?

When left with no other choice become the predator!

You make the first blow- don’t wait. This is a huge psychological advantage- you are telling this scumbag that you are not afraid. What’s more, make that strike count. Don’t pussy-foot around- if you do you’ll be in trouble. One strike will not be enough, you can count on it. So keep on striking until the attacker is immobilized and you can get away. Size is irrelevant in street fighting. Observe these pointers:

Many martial arts tell you to look into the opponent’s eyes. Rubbish! If you are looking there you won’t see the knife they’ve just taken out of their pocket. No, you should be watching the elbows believe it or not. You cannot strike with your hand without moving your elbow first. For the same reasons, watch the knees too.

Use your peripheral vision- the corner of your eye. Small and rapid movements can be better detected this way.

You don’t need to worry about learning hundreds of defensive postures, because there’s only so much to go for in an assault and you must take the initiative anyway. Plus, most important of all, let your reflexes do the work.

Do not make it obvious when or how you intend to strike. Surprise is everything.

Never beg. This display of weakness will just make you get hurt more. A red flag to a bull.

Ask a question like “What sort of car do you drive” just before you strike. This causes confusion and makes your subsequent strike all the more unexpected.
When you eventually get away, head for the most public place you can find. If you call for assistance, don’t shout ‘Help’ or ‘Rape’, shout ‘Fire’. Studies show that people come running more often this way.

Girls, if you’re wearing high-heeled shoes, kick them off before running. Keep one in your hand as a weapon.

The Attack

I’m not talking about the attack from the villain, I’m talking about your attack. The best form of defense is attack remember? And here’s what you’re going to do:

Let out the most horrific battle-cry imaginable spitting at the villain as you do so.

Simultaneously, make as many strikes as possible.

Once they are immobilized, run.

Here’s how to make those strikes:

Never punch with a clenched fist. Forget the movies. This is a sure way to break your hand. And don’t hit someone in the face or head- you’ll do little damage.

Don’t even think about losing. It’s not an option.

Never make high kicks like kick-boxers show. This puts you off balance and makes it easy for the opponent to grab your leg and push you over.

Stay low with legs apart to maintain balance and home in on the vulnerable areas of the body of the assailant.

Pinch, bite and scratch. Focus on the genitals, eyes, ears, throat and fingers (fingers can easily be broken). Don’t try to pull hair- it means you have to reach up thus exposing your stomach. The aim is injury, not just pain- if you simply hurt the attacker, you’ll just make them even more vindictive.

Lashing out is ineffective. It’s the speed of the blow that counts. Elbows should be used into the lower abdomen and windpipe. Kicks should be directed to the groin and knees.

In a real situation, all this will happen very quickly so it’s important you train yourself as to what to do. Nature will help you- adrenaline makes you faster and stronger.

Carry a weapon and use it….

Weapons

Do not carry anything that could be construed as an offensive weapon. If you end up killing the attacker with a flick-knife you’ll be in trouble with the law. And don’t carry anything that is easily perceived as a weapon- it could be used against you. There are ways round this problem though by carrying items used in everyday life and practicing to use them as a deadly weapon.

For example, the edge of a credit card can be delicately filed down to razor-sharpness. A belt buckle, steel toe-caps, a metal pen anything can become lethal in trained hands.

Rape

Women take note:

Many rapists look and act like perfect gentlemen. Many don’t mean you any harm but simply want sex.

Keep curtains closed at night and never leave any obvious signs that you live alone. Have a male friend do your answer phone message. If you have a "wrong number" caller do not tell them your name or address.

If a stranger knocks at your door and asks if your husband can help him with his car, DO NOT say he’s not in no matter how desperate the person appears. This is a classic way of finding out if you’re on your own in the house.

Always have the car doors locked. Many rapes have occurred by rapists getting into cars at traffic lights and threatening the driver into taking him to a secluded location.

If you live in a flat, don’t have "Miss Smith" written on the door bell. It shows you are probably alone.

I could write a whole course on security alone. What I have given you here are the basic kernels of wisdom to build upon. Take it to heart. The way the world is shaping up, thinking it won’t happen to you is highly dangerous. Just to keep you on your toes, I’m going to give you no less than 100 little known of tips now to keep you safe and secure. Stay vigilant!

Beware of people around you when using a public telephone booth - you could be a target.

Be wary of walking up to a driver asking for directions.

On a busy road always carry your handbag or briefcase on the side away from the road.

Avoid set daily routines wherever possible. Villains look for these.

Don’t carry important belongings all in one bag.

Trust your instincts - they are probably right.

Avoid travelling alone whenever possible- especially after dark.

Park in a well-lit area.

When recording an answer phone message, use the word ‘we’ so it doesn’t look like you live alone.

Never walk down a road at night close to building doorways- this is a favorite place for ‘jumping’ on folk.

Never take short-cuts through empty car parks or other deserted areas- especially at night.

Try not to put your identification down where other people can read your name and address.

On public transport avoid the seat closest the exit.

Single females: Don’t display your title or first name in the telephone book.

Avoid sitting near tills in bars and restaurants- in the event of robbery you would be vulnerable.

If you’re in a lift with others and you feel uncomfortable, get out and take the next lift.

If you suspect you’re being followed, use reflections from shop windows to see behind you.

On an escalator keep your handbag or briefcase away from the side of the escalator on the opposite side.

If your belongings are snatched, do not give chase.

When using a public toilet never hang anything valuable on the door or put it on the floor.

Don’t sit near an open window on public transport. A popular technique is for thieves to reach in when it stops.

Always have the correct amount of money out before you buy something or board a bus or train- this way you avoid getting your wallet or purse out in front of others.

If you think you are being followed in your car do not drive home- drive to a public place.

Do not hitch-hike and do not pick up hitch-hikers.

Walk in a brisk manner- thieves look for signs of being lost or confused.

If you think you are being followed or stalked by a car as you are walking or jogging, turn around and run the opposite way- a car will take much longer to turn round.

Don’t wear headphones if possible when out- you won’t be able to sense an attack approaching and you are also exposing something that is worth stealing.

If you suspect your home has been burgled, do not go in to check. Call the police instead.

Most muggings occur between 4 and 6 pm when people are coming home from work when they are tired and less alert.

Avoid eye contact with any suspect trouble-makers.

Muggers particularly target people on pay-day who are paid in cash. Carry your wages home on a different day if possible.

If ever attacked always make as much noise as possible. Always- even if being threatened against doing so.

Never carry a wallet or purse where it can be seen externally.

Standing facing toward a public men’s urinal is a very vulnerable position to be in.

Running away is not cowardice- it’s survival.

Always do something your attacker least expects- this can put them off guard.

In an attack you have the best chance of escape in the first few seconds.

Many women feel nervous when on their own outside at night- men should not walk too close or behave aggressively too avoid a pre-emptive attack from a jumpy female.

If someone is angry with you or humiliated, don’t make it worse by arguing with them or being sarcastic.

Never, ever give your name and address and telephone to a stranger for any reason. Women: If shop assistants ask for it when purchasing an item, refuse.

Don’t be a hero. Your property is worthless compared to your life. Run away. Hide.

Your shoes. Would they slow you down? Can you kick and stamp effectively with them?

When sitting in a risky place like on public transport, don’t sit with your legs crossed- sit with them apart. This way you can get up quicker if need be.

If rape is imminent, your attacker is most vulnerable when his trousers are down.

Women- overcome your fear of fighting!

If you have a dog, let it walk around the house freely at night and train it to sleep at the top of the stairs.

If you see any fighting or arrests anywhere don’t stand around watching- you’re just putting yourself at risk.

Train yourself to use everyday items like pens and combs as deadly weapons.

Buy a personal alarm or whistle to carry around on your key ring.

When approaching your parked car, always have your key ready. This allows you to enter quickly and acts as an immediate weapon should you be jumped.

When you stop at traffic lights, always leave enough room behind the car in front to pull away and always leave the car in gear.

When in unfamiliar surroundings, buildings and vehicles, always make a mental note of escape routes and procedures.

Don’t park your car near bushes, walls or other concealed unlit areas.

Don’t visit unattended places such as laundromats alone at night.

Remember that attackers and thieves are probably as nervous as you are so don’t be frightened to fight back hard and fast.

Keep valuables on the floor of your car when you drive or behind your seat.

Don’t throw away any personal documents showing your address into public bins.

If you are receiving unwanted calls, a company like BT offers a service that can bar certain numbers. If the caller is hiding the identity of the number he is calling from you can get a service that bars any caller who dials ‘141’ first.

Never assume that someone that knocks at your door in a uniform is legitimate. Check with their employer.

Carry a pocket torch on your key ring to light up any dark and suspect areas you have to go through.

If you think you are being followed don’t go home- go to somewhere public.

If you get embroiled in any aggressive tension in a pub or club, just walk away, don’t argue.

If someone tries to jump in your car when stopped at traffic lights, don’t bother stopping at the red light, just move on making sure nothing is coming. Alternatively flash your lights and sound your horn as much as possible.

Try to use ATMs during the day and in open areas. Be aware of others around you at ATMs- it is a common staging post for muggings.

Only use public lavatories when absolutely essential.

If you’re going away load your car up just before you depart, not the night before.

Walk on the side of the street the opposite direction to oncoming traffic- this way you are less vulnerable from drive-by muggings from cars behind.

If you encounter a ‘flasher’, don’t laugh or mock, just ignore it and move away.

When travelling on public transport, do not give away any personal details to strangers.

Don’t answer your phone by announcing your telephone number.

If a stranger asks to use your phone, tell them you will do it for them.

On the other foot, if you need assistance going to a strange house for help is possibly dangerous.

If your home is broken into while you are upstairs, lock yourself in a safe room and call the police from a mobile.

Keep a decoy purse wallet lying around the house or in your bag. Keep expired cards and other worthless items in it.

Shoulder straps on bags should be short so the bag can be held into the body when walking.

At night you can use street lamps to check for shadows if you think anyone is following you.

When abroad don’t keep all your money in one place. Use travelers checks rather than cash.

When out and about look as purposeful and confident as possible.

Never hide spare keys to your home outside you might be spotted.

Women especially- buy a high-visibility jacket and keep it in the car. If you break down you look more like an official than a driver.

If your bag or case is stolen containing your keys, have the locks changed immediately- the thief now has your address probably from your wallet.

Keep a safe distance from vans with sliding doors in deserted areas- they are commonly used for abduction.

Don’t ever carry so much while shopping that you don’t have a free hand.

If you are the only female at a party or dark club, leave.

Don’t try to deal with stalkers yourself- call the police.

If you see any sort of violence on the streets don’t try to help- call the police.

Keep all bushes and shrubs trimmed in your garden- these conceal thieves.

Keep fit and toned- if you ever have to run from someone you’ll be pleased you did.

It’s always worth checking your car externally before you get in it in case someone is hiding in it.

A simple but tight pinch is one of your best weapons.

Wait until morning until taking the trash bins out.

Avoid unmanned subway stations at night.

If your car breaks down do not accept any unsolicited offers of assistance from passing drivers.

If you leave your car with anyone such as garages, cleaners, hotel valets etc, be sure to only give them the car key.

Don’t leave messages for tradesmen on your front door- this announces that you are out.

Do not try to block the escape path of a fleeing criminal- chances are he is armed and ready these days. Just remember what he looks like and notice anything he touches for fingerprints.

If you have to park at the side of the road due to breakdown, turn your wheels away from the traffic- this way if a passing car clips your car, it will be pushed away from the danger.

Be wary of your surroundings at drive-thru’s at night.

If you are being driven home at night by a taxi or friend, get them to wait until you are safely inside.

Anyone "cold-calling" you by phone should be ignored.