Are you a prime target? Don't be

When you’re stumbling home from a late night out, feeling tired, slightly worse for wear and your shoes are crippling you – do you take the well known short-cut down a deserted alleyway or spend an extra 15 minutes taking the safer, well-lit route?

It’s a dilemma most of us have faced more than once, but given the spate of recent attacks on women in Hastings and Hove, it is a risk no longer worth taking.

ZT Fitness and Training Centre in Hove has taken a stand by offering a self-defence course starting in September and it seems an increasing number of women in the area are taking their safety a lot more seriously.

“Over half a dozen members have approached us directly with a growing concern for their safety,” says Donna Poplett of ZT.

“Particularly as a lot of them are commuters from near to Hove Station. As a result, we are beginning a course which will give our members and their friends an added advantage should they ever be in a vulnerable situation.”

Self-defence expert Zoltan Dienes has been teaching martial arts at the University of Sussex for 20 years. He says it is imperative to be – and look – alert at all times, as studies have shown attackers tend to target women who look more vulnerable.

Zoltan advises women to follow their intuition and, if a situation seems unsafe, act immediately.

“If you’re walking purposefully and looking alert and not at the ground, studies suggest you are less likely to be picked,” he says. “Victims will be watched for at least a couple of minutes before an attack is made.

So if you see a guy and he doubles back on himself and walks past you again, let him know you’ve spotted him, keep your distance and quickly move on. One thing he doesn’t want is a witness who can identify him.”

If you find yourself in a potentially aggressive situation, something you shouldn’t do, according to Zoltan, is turn your back and walk away. His tip is to first raise your hands, palms facing your attacker, to try to defuse the situation.

“Move away from the person while still keeping an eye on them,” he says.

“Try circling them so your back isn’t exposed and keep glancing around to check there is no one else with them.”

If someone has a knife and demands your wallet, throw it on the ground at a safe distance then run.

“One attitude you should never have is to think you can try and appease them,” he says.

If the situation escalates and you are physically attacked, Zoltan says don’t play the victim but fight back.

“Claw, bite, pinch, scream and fight like a maniac,” he says. “Stamp on their feet, hit them in the nose with the palm of your hand and poke them with your fingers in the eye or up the nose. Women sometimes feel it is not very ladylike but once you’re attacked, you shouldn’t be afraid of how hard you hit back.”

Jo Walker, is spokesperson for the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which offers advice on personal safety. Although Jo supports the idea of self-defence classes, she says they can sometimes give a false sense of security.

“It is one thing carrying out all the moves successfully in the gym where you feel safe and relaxed and you are wearing a loose track suit and trainers. It is quite different if you’re grabbed from behind on a dark street when you’re wearing a tight skirt and high heels,” she observes.

“The chances are you may be unable to do anything through sheer shock and fear. It is far better to learn how to avoid the dangers in the first place.”

Jo’s advice is to avoid short-cuts and always take the safer, well-lit route, even if it is longer.

“It’s also important to remember alcohol will seriously affect your ability to make safe choices,” she adds. “So if you are going to be having a drink, plan how you are going to get home before you go out.

It takes three things for a violent incident to happen: a victim, a perpetrator and an opportunity.

“If you reduce or eliminate the opportunities you reduce or eliminate the risks.”

Inspector Andy Richardson from Hove Neighbourhood Specialist Team, also advises against flaunting valuables such as an iPod or mobile phone. He does stress, however, that while there have been a number of attacks recently, in the overall picture, they remain few and far between.

Top 50 tips on staying safe

On the streets

1) Before you go out, think about how you are going to get home. (Can you share a cab with a friend or book it in advance? What time does the last bus/ train leave? etc)

2) Remember alcohol can affect your judgement.

3) Avoid danger spots such as quiet or badly lit alleyways, subways or isolated car parks.

4) Walk down the middle of the road if the street is deserted.

5) If you do have to pass danger spots, think about what you would do if you felt threatened. The best idea is to head for a public place such as a shop.

6) Avoid passing stationary cars with their engines running and people sitting in them.

7) Walk tall and look confident. Try to keep both hands free and don’t walk with your hands in your pockets.

8) Always take a route you know.

9) Be wary of motorists and walk facing oncoming traffic.

10) Keep your mind on your surroundings. Don’t be distracted by listening to your iPod, texting or chatting on your mobile.

11) Don’t keep all your valuables in one place. Stash £10 or £20 in your bra for emergencies. Keep mobiles and iPods out of sight.

12) Beware of someone who warns you of the danger of walking alone and then offers to accompany you. This is a ploy some attackers have used.

13) Never accept a lift with someone you don’t know, even if you are wet, tired or running late.

14) Think about what you are wearing. You are less likely to be able to run in a tight skirt and heels. Carry a pair of flats in your bag for getting home.

15) If you think you are being followed, trust your instincts. Cross the road, turn and look to see who is behind you. If you are still being followed, keep moving. Head for a busy area and tell people – don’t go to an enclosed phone box as you could be trapped inside. If necessary, call the police on a mobile.

16) If you walk home in the dark, get a personal attack alarm from a DIY store. Carry it in your hand so you can use it immediately. Make sure it’s designed to continue sounding if it falls to the ground.

17) The purpose of a Personal Safety Alarm is to shock and disorientate an attacker, giving you vital seconds to get away. The best alarms fit easily into the palm of the hand but are still very loud. Choose one that’s easy to use in an emergency.

18) If you’ve lost your friends in Brighton and feel particularly vulnerable, go to the Safe Space, St Paul’s Church in West Street, between 10.30pm and 2.30am on Friday and Saturday nights.

19) Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards. Carry your house keys in your pocket. If someone grabs your bag, let it go.

20) If you go jogging or cycling, vary your route and time.

21) In parks, keep to main paths and open spaces – avoid wooded areas. Don’t listen to music, you can’t hear people approaching.

22) If a car stops and you are threatened, scream and shout, and set off your personal attack alarm. Get away as quickly as you can.

23) If you can, make a mental note of the number and details of the car. Write this down as soon as possible afterwards.

Taxis

24) If you’re out late, arrange a lift with someone you know.

25) Taxis and PHVs (private hire vehicle or mini cab) give you a degree of protection because they have to meet certain criteria.

26) You can only pre-book a PHV through a licensed PHV operator (not a PHV driver).

27) Always ensure you travel in a licensed taxi by checking the vehicle’s plate and driver’s badge. Never travel in an unlicensed vehicle with an unlicensed driver.

28) Check the taxi that arrives is the one you ordered. Ask for a description of the car – colour, make and name of the driver.

29) If you pre-book, note the company and telephone number. If possible, leave it with a friend.

30) When you get to your destination, ask the driver to wait until you are inside.

31) If travelling alone, always sit in the back, behind the driver.

32) If you feel uneasy, ask to be let out in a well-lit area where there are plenty of people.

33) If in doubt, make an excuse and don’t get in the vehicle.

Buses and trains

34) Try to stay away from isolated bus stops, especially after dark.

35) Have your bus fare ready but be careful not to flash the cash. Don’t have large notes on you when you are out at night.

36) Sit near the driver on a bus. On a train, sit in a busy compartment.

Driving

37) Before a long trip, make sure your vehicle is in good condition.

38) Plan how to get to your destination before leaving, and stay on main roads if you can.

39) Make sure you have enough money and petrol. Carry a spare petrol can and a torch.

40) Always keep change and a phone card handy.

41) Before you leave, tell anyone you are planning to meet what time you think you will get there and the route you are taking.

42) If someone tries to flag you down, drive to a service station or a busy place and call the police. Do not pick up hitch-hikers.

43) Keep doors locked when driving and keep valuables out of sight. Don’t wind the window down far enough to allow someone to reach in while you’re stopped in traffic.

44) If you think you are being followed, alert others by flashing your lights and sounding your horn. If you can, keep driving until you come to a busy place.

45) After dark, park in a well-lit, busy place. In daylight, look around and think how things will look in the dark.

46) Have your key ready when you go back to your car. Make sure there is no one in the car.

47) If your car develops problems on a motorway follow the arrows to the closest phone. They are never placed any more than a mile apart, on opposite sides of the motorway. Never cross the carriageway to use a phone.

48) Don’t wait in the car – there is a high risk of an accident. Wait on the embankment nearby with the front passenger door open. If someone approaches you or you feel threatened, lock yourself in the car and speak to them through a small gap in the window.

If the worst happens...

49) If someone threatens you, scream for help and set off your personal attack alarm if you have one.

50) You have every right to defend yourself, with reasonable force, with items such as an umbrella, hairspray or keys. However, it is against the law to carry anything which can be described as an offensive weapon (such as a knife, screwdriver or pepper spray.)

Do you have any tips for better personal safety on our streets? Share them below.