How can I keep safe when going out at night?

Question

City centres are becoming unsafe to visit at night, as the latest news shows at http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20070724/tuk-city-centres-are-no-go-areas-6323e80.html

What tips or advice have you got that can help people stay safe after dark?

Answer 1

This is from my experience gained from going to, and working in clubs.

Let someone know where your going, when you should arrive and what time you should be back.

Keep your mobile (if you have one) well charged. A spare battery or portable charger is a good idea.

Make sure they are aware of ANY changes in plan. Regular updates help even if things do go to plan.

Only go out with people you know well and trust.
Make sure you have a meeting point (and maybe time) should you get separated.

If you see trouble starting, leave.

Travel via safe, well-lit, well-traveled paths.Or REPUTABLE taxis. I stress this word as there are many who work with ulterior motives. Being a regular with a firm or individual helps build confidence.

There are many more ways to make sure you're safe, but that should be a good start.

Most importantly trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. It's always safest to leave, than stay and find out.

Answer 2

Always Walk Next To Busy Main Roads!! No-One Would Do Anything In Front Of Loads Of Cars Going Past!
Make Sure Your With Someone Or Even Go out With A Few People Because Your Not Going To Be Attacked If Your With Say Three Other People!
What I Do When I Go Out Is Take My Dog With Me!
He's Not Vicious Or Anything Hes Actually A Labrador But When I'm With My Dog I Figure That No-One Will Do Anything In Case The Dog Attacks Them!
Always Have Your Mobile On You But Never Bring It Out Unless You Need To. You Don't Want To Give Someone a Reason To Attack You!
Also Keep Yourself To Yourself Don't Start Any Fights. If Someone Shouts At You Keep Walking. If People Come Over And Start Bothering You Don't Swear At Them Or Insult Them But Don't Make Yourself Look Weak!
Hope This Helps x x x

Answer 3

I don't go out at night.

That doesn't mean that I feel any safer sitting at home with the doors and windows locked...

Just do the common sense thing. Stick with your best mates and make sure that someone knows where you are, and what time you'll be home.

And phone to let them know you are home.

I've been doing work in my Gran's garden for the last few weeks and every time I leave to drive home, she insists I call her to let her know i am hoe safely and I'm in my 40s...

Bless her!

BTW, be responsible. If you have a past history of saying you'll be in at one time and then you roll in later, you'll likely not be expected at the time you state and that could lead to a lot of upset if anything was to happen to you.

I try to factor in traffic problems and give a time half an hour later than I expect to arrive. I'd rather do that than say I'll be home at a certain time and then be delayed to arrive half an hour later.

Answer 4

It's pretty bad that it has come to this really.
Common sense, always try to be in the company of people you know.
If you absolutely must be alone, make sure you contact relevant parties to keep them updated on any meeting plans etc.
Use public transport but stay away from unlicensed taxi's - unfortunately there are still many of these.
Stay in well lit areas.
If for some reason you cannot use your mobile, try your hardest to get to a phone box.
Do NOT talk to strangers unless at least one of your group is with you and even then, keep your distance.

Answer 5

Well I feel sorry for "joannie" and anyone else who gets stuck indoors - but if you don't feel safe the anxiety can ruin your trip.Don't let this spread into the daytime though as happens to some around here - and *I* take them out!
My sons alway drop me at the door if I am at theirs after dark and otherwise I use reputable taxis too - I only rarely need them and the cost is worth if if I want to go to the theatre,am returning on the train or whatever.
I have a loud whistle (ex-guide) but a rape alarm would do if it works and carry an umbrella often and a sturdy hairbrush always! .Well they give me confidence and I would use them!
On the road safety issue - the old saying "wear something white at night" holds and that's for all ages.
Stay safe.
Best wishes,
Joan.

Answer 6

No one wants to become a prisoner in their own home, people have to go out, but all too often I am sorry to say this can result in trouble for some people.
The most important thing for anyone is to know their route, be aware of its good points and it's bad ones.
If you have to walk, then stay to well lite areas.
Walk near the edge of the kerb.
Never walk with your hands in your pockets. I always have a key in my hand if I'm out on my own at night , it amazing how much damage a key can do.
Be confident in your stride.
Be extra vigilant, ie be aware of your surroundings.
Let someone know what time to expect you home.
Last but not least the safest-way is to travel by taxi.
Good luck,
and be safe.
Ps. If your very nervous, there are some very good self-defence groups, you could join.
Not only do you learn something which could save your life , you also get to make new friends.
Catherine.

Answer 7

I would suggest....

1. Dont wear an mp3 player or similar. This reduces your chances of hearing potential threats.
2. Stick to areas you know. Dont wander down somewhere that turns out to be a dead end
3. Stay in lit areas. Dark woodland might seem romantic but there is an obvious risk
4. Stay in public areas. You are far safer in the high street where there are lots of people, places, passing traffic
5. Dont go out alone - safety in numbers.
6. Avoid confrontation - you might have the 'right' to walk through that group of hoodies but is it really worth it.
7. Carry an alarm / phone- be able to alert passers by / call for assistance if required

Hope you dont have to use any of these but they make sense to me .. keep safe and have fun.

Answer 8

Most people have given you good advice and it is important to ensure your safety is of paramount importance at all times. We live in a society of decent people for the majority but like everywhere in the world, there will always be some 'Saddo's' who will wish to do you harm? Staying in area's that benifit from good lighting is an obvious one, although it won't deter someone who is determined to attack you. A personal alarm will attract attention (but there are less Knights in shining armour prepared to have a go these days in the advent of knife carrying etc..). Staying in larger groups is an advantage, so arranging to have a few of you to shack up together in one house for the night and a good laugh to boot would be a good option? Your mobile phone (fully charged) and someone aware of your movements i.e ''I have left the club and will be home in 20 mins'' so as to raise the alarm quickly should you not appear?
I am unsure of one of the comments regarding carrying 'CS Gas' as I am sure your attacker will come off better afterwards in a court of law than you will....Sadly!
I think overall, it is more prudent to stay in numbers or use a licensed Hackney cab to transport you home, this will hopefully keep you safest and prevent anything untoward occuring?
Lets hope you can enjoy evenings out without being too paranoid, as I said, people as a majority are good natured and wouldn't dream of attacking you. Good luck and take care.

Answer 9

In my town there is a lot of drunkenness and i think that's what makes it scary, so many people who are just completely out of control.

I'm an athletic fit and tall male and I still feel threatened. Yeah if it came to it I could probably take out aggresive drunks if they came for me but it is likely that I would get hurt in the process. It really isn't a case of being macho or macho less, it really is a case of self defence.

So I repeat the thing is people here are out of control and that is what is scary, these people could actually do so many dangerous things when under the influence.

My general philosophy is avoidence, cross the street and stay out of their way.

Think the only answer too the "booze problem" is big campaigns / initiatives it's too big a problem for asbo's etc. People need to wake up and see that there is so much more to life than getting completely wasted on a Friday or Saturday night.

It's a crazy culture.

Answer 10

in this day and age we should not provide ways of safety before going out , we should be able to go out without looking over ones shoulder. if the police was more visual and bars and pubs stop given these law breakers a other chance this would not be happening. example football matches if the violence continue we close the football ground for a time and every one watches it at home to see if it works but it would not happen because money is worth more than a life unfortunately. it is aw full today to think you could loose your life just walking the streets.we need zero tolerance now it as gone on long enough, the criminals know what they do and they know it is wrong but the disciple as gone they know they will get away with it , that is why a lot of people are leaving to live else where in the world they are sick of been the victims with no protection.