Community Safety
Christmas Safety Tips
Safer Streets Tips at Christmas
Christmas is a time to relax and have fun – but it’s also important to stay safe. By planning ahead and following a few sensible safety tips, you can enjoy your night out without putting yourself at risk of becoming a victim of crime.
Plan How You’re Getting Home
- Make sure someone knows where you're going and what time you will be back.
- Make sure you keep enough cash for your journey home
- Find out when the last train or bus is, book a taxi or arrange a lift before you go out. If you don’t know when you’re going home, plan to wait at a taxi rank manned by taxi marshals
- If you pre-order a taxi, check it’s an official car from the company you booked with – don’t accept lifts from cruising cabs or unmarked cars
- Arrange to text friends so you can let each other know you got home safely
Remember Safety in Numbers
- Stick with your friends – even if it means things take longer
- Look out for your friends and make sure they look out for you
- If possible, travel home with a friend
Drink Sensibly
- Don't drink too much. Alcohol dulls your instincts and awareness of danger, making you more vulnerable
- Don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know
- Don’t leave your drink unattended
- If the alcohol is going to your head, drink water
- If you feel excessively drunk after a small amount of alcohol, seek help from a trusted friend of member of pub or club management. Get to a place of safety as soon as possible
- Be aware how you come across when you've been drinking. Ask your mates. Sometimes people can inadvertently attract trouble by the way they behave when they are drunk.
- If you have a friend whose behaviour or attitude (drunk or sober) attracts trouble, pick a good time and have a word with them. Make it clear that you are not going to be dragged into violence because of their stupidity.
- Don't drink and drive. Many people are still over the limit the following morning, so take this into account the night before.
General Safety
- Avoid trouble and confrontational situations. If there is trouble, walk away
- Look after your possessions – watch out for pickpockets and thieves
- Think about your personal safety and don’t take any unnecessary risks
- Don’t take short cuts through alleys, parks or across waste ground or even through quiet city streets
- Keep to well lit busy walkways where places are still open. Make sure you are facing the traffic as you walk
- Check your mobile is charged and has credit. Store it somewhere secure and keep checking you have it
