Personal Safety on a Mission (or just a night out)
As an operative working within a team or solo, you need to be ‘street wise’, when you consider the size of cities, the number of serious incidents that take place on its streets is relatively low. Street crime is often opportunistic, so making yourself less of a target, moving with purpose and being aware of your surroundings will go a long way to keeping you safe. Here’s where you’ll discover more tips on how to stay safe and feel more confident when out and about on a mission or surveillance task.
Be prepared
Plan your route in advance. Carry a charged mobile phone and some cash, and tell someone where you’re going.
Be assertive
From the moment you step out onto the street in the morning, look assertive and act and walk with confidence. This will always make you appear in control and much less vulnerable.
Be aware
Using a mobile phone, whether making a call or texting, wearing a hood or listening to loud music, all affect your awareness of your surroundings.
Hide it
Keep your valuables including your mobile phone, other devices and jewellery, hidden. Remember, out of sight, out of mind.
Go against the flow
When walking on the pavement, always face oncoming traffic, as it will make it far more difficult for thieves on two wheelers to ride up from behind and snatch your property. But still also be aware of anyone approaching from ahead of you.
Trust your instincts
Try to avoid walking alone at night in places such as parks and side streets or any unfamiliar environment. If you do have to walk, stick to busy places where is a lot of activity CCTV and good lighting.
Make a plan
And stick to it. First off, discuss with friends what to do if something were to go wrong on your night out together, e.g. if one of you has too much to drink or you were to get separated. Agree on a backup plan and look out for one another.
Be vigilant
Alcohol and drugs will reduce reaction times and inhibitions, which makes it harder to assess risks and decide how to deal with them. So keep an eye on how much you drink and never let your glass or bottle out of your sight. If you leave your drink be aware it may have been spiked with drugs, so for you own safety hand it over the bar and order a new one.
Safety in numbers
Try to travel with people you know and, where possible, stick to routes and forms of public transport that others are using and avoid shortcuts in lonely places.
