Partnership offers personal safety advice as nights draw in
The Rugby Community Safety Partnership, which includes representatives from the council, police, fire and rescue service and NHS as well as support agencies such as RoSA (the Rape or Sexual Abuse project) is reminding people in Rugby to follow some simple advice to help improve their personal safety as the nights draw in.
The end of British Summer Time means it will now get dark earlier in the evenings and this is an ideal opportunity for people to review their personal safety.
Paul Collett, community safety project officer, said “There are steps we can all take to minimise the risk of being assaulted at night. We are asking people to show increased alertness to what is happening around them, to use common sense and not to risk their personal safety.
To help people stay safe, we are offering free personal attack alarms on a first come first served basis. These are available from Rugby Police Station, Rugby Town Hall, or Rugby Library.
Pointers recommended by the partnership, include :-
- Make sure someone knows where you are and your route home and also your intended time home
- Do not accept lifts from people you do not know
- Walk with a friend and take a licensed taxi if you are on your own
- Carry bags close to you and keep keys in a separate pocket
- Cover up expensive looking jewellery and keep your mobile out of sight
- Vary routes, sticking to well lit roads and pavements
- Do not take short cuts through dark alleys or waste ground
- Walk facing traffic so that a car cannot pull up unnoticed behind you
- Walk confidently with your head up and shoulders square
- If you are concerned for your immediate safety dial 999
Paul Collett added: “The risk of suffering a violent crime, particularly when out and about is very low, but complacency will increase that risk. Make sure that your travelling routine takes all the precautions to make the risk of theft or assault lower.”