Bricket Wood Neighbourhood Watch Association
			founded 1995 (covering the whole Village)         Advice for women

Walking

• Walk Confidently and look as if you know where you are going. Having a firm step and an assertive bearing may well deter an attacker.

• If a car pulls up next to you containing more than one man don't stop to speak to them. Just walk away.

• If a male driver stops and you feel he is merely asking directions, keep a distance between you and the car when answering him, but ensure that you keep the car door between you and him. Make him talk to you.

• Walk on the side of the street which allows you to face oncoming traffic. If a male driver accosts you, you can then run away in the opposite direction to which he is travelling. This gives you time! He either has to drive away from you, do a three-point turn, or reverse. All are difficult for him.

• Keep on the edge on the pavement nearest to the road and think ahead. If there is a dark patch of shrubbery etc., ahead, cross the road until you are safely past it.

• Never accept a lift home with a stranger or slight acquaintance.

• Always carry a torch and use it to illuminate dark areas ahead of you.

• Whenever possible walk home with a friend. Two people are much harder to attack than one, and if you are attacked one can get away to summon help.

• Never take a route home which leads through a park or unlit alley, car park, or school yard etc. Even if it takes longer, keep to well lit roads.

• If you are being followed, always go to a house with lights on and ask for help. Better to look a fool than to carry on walking and be accosted!

• Be on the alert. If you hear footsteps behind you, turn and find out who it is before he reaches you. If he is contemplating an attack the fact that you have seen him could be enough to make him turn away and leave you alone.

• Wearing a personal stereo takes away your ability to hear such things.

• Handheld alarms available. Carry one in your hand, not in your pocket or handbag. Always carry the alarm when you think you are in a vulnerable situation. Buy the type which 'locks on' when you press the trigger or one that has a pin that is pulled out by a wrist-strap. With these types the high pitched screech will continue even it the alarm is knocked out of your hand.

• Remember that you can always dial the emergency number (999 or 112) from a mobile telephone even when its keypad is locked.

• Do not hitchhike and always make arrangements to be accompanied home by someone you know well. The attack on the lone woman which succeeds is usually because she is off guard.

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Public transport

• When travelling by bus avoid isolated bus-stops, as a woman on her own can be vulnerable. Always use the lower deck. If there is a choice, sit next to another woman rather than a man.

• When travelling by train try to choose a compartment which contains other women. Avoid empty compartments, or compartments with only men in them.

• When travelling by tube follow the advice given for 'trains' as above. At night try to use other forms of transport.

• Always use the main escalators and walkways; never use the deserted areas. If necessary, wait in a well lit area until another woman or a group of people appear, and then walk with them to your required point.

• If you have to travel by tube or train and are arriving when it is dark, try to arrange to be met at your destination.

If you need a safe and reliable chauffeur driven car service then we can recommend: Dove Executive Car Service.

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Driving

• When you get into your car, lock the doors, put your handbag or wallet under the seat and put on your seat belt. If you have to stop at traffic lights or at a junction with heavy traffic, a man cannot just open your car and get in if the doors are locked. You simply drive away.

• If you believe your car is being followed then don't go home. Drive to a place that you know is safe, such as a police station or a 24hour Garage, and ask for assistance. If you are afraid to get out of your car on arrival, simply sound your horn repeatedly You will quickly draw attention to your car!

• If you see someone in need of help whilst you are out in your car, don't leave your vehicle until you are satisfied that it is a genuine emergency.

• When driving alone don't under any circumstances give hitchhikers a lift. It could happen that you stop for a girl hitchhiker and then find that a man also appears suddenly. Drive off and leave them both. It may embarrass you but remember that you cannot watch her in the front seat, him in the back and the road all at the same time.

• Before making a car journey ascertain details of your destination and its location so that you do not have to stop and ask for directions from strangers.

• Keep your headlights on when opening your garage doors at night. This may help you to see if there is anyone lurking in the vicinity.

• When parking the car always aim to place the car under a light, whether in the street or in a car park.

• Never leave valuables on view in your car. Always put them in the boot out of sight.

• Never leave your keys in the ignition, even if you are only popping into a shop for a few seconds. Always lock the car and take the keys with you.

• During the hours of darkness always carry a torch with you and check the rear seats before entering your car.

• When you arrive home get out your house keys before you get out of your car. You can then avoid having to stand around in the dark searching for your keys in your handbag!

• When returning to your car during the hours of darkness, always have your car keys ready in your hand so that you can make a quick entry in to your car (after checking the interior with your torch!)

• Police Officers find that one of the best deterrents to having your car stolen is to have the Registration Number etched on the car windows.

• It is best to include a torch and hand alarm in your car emergency kit. Then if you do breakdown during the hours of darkness you can light your way and feel as confident as possible by carrying the alarm. If you have a mobile telephone then remember to take it with you. You can always dial the emergency number (999 or 112) even when its keypad is locked.
  
  
  Also see advice on Road Rage.

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At home

• Never open your house door automatically to a caller. Use a door chain which should be kept in place until you have identified the caller or until they have left the premises. Always ask callers to identify themselves before you admit them to your home.

• Install and use a door viewer. It is invaluable for letting you know who is calling on you, and identifying them visually.

• If your name is on your door/bell/mailbox make sure it is just says 'BROWN, S' and not 'MRS S BROWN'. This intimates that you could be a woman living alone.

• Remember the the caller may address you by name and make you think that he/she knows you.

• Do not give keys to workmen so that they can gain admittance when you are away from your home.

• Never admit 'Officials' without properly identifying them. Most large companies (ie British Telecom, Eastern Gas, Eastern Electricity, double glazing companies, etc.) issue their representatives with identification cards. If they have not made a specific appointment or you are not satisfied that they are genuine, close the door on them and telephone the company they say they represent. No legitimate company will object to your following this procedure.

• Preferably use a number you have rather than one your caller gives you (see: our list of known numbers).

• If someone you do not know calls at your home, do not be taken in by such stories as:

• 'My car's broken down. May I use your phone?'
• 'I feel a bit faint. May I have some water?'
• 'Our puppy has strayed into your back garden; can we look for it?'

• In such circumstances:

• (a) (Car breakdown): Shut the door and make the phone call for them.
• (b) (Feeling faint): Shut the door, get them a glass of water, and give it to them while they are outside.
• (c) (Puppy): Shut the door and give them permission to search the garden, but make sure that your house is secure. Remember that while one person is in the garden with you searching for the puppy, the other may well be in your house, ransacking it!

• Keep the back door locked as someone may try and enter that way while you are attending to the caller at the front door.

• If you are selling your home then make arrangements with the Estate Agent for viewing to be by appointment only. Refuse entry to casual callers. lf you will be on your own, always ask the Agent to send a representative with the viewers.

• Fit a bright light outside and use it when callers arrive.

• Don't answer the telephone with your telephone number. If the caller claims to have called a wrong number, ask him to tell you the required number. Then just tell him that he has a wrong number, and put the phone down.

• If you do receive an indecent phone call don't keep him talking: that's just what he wants! Either slam the receiver down or give him a good blast from your hand alarm or a whistle.

• Another answer is to 'call to your husband to the phone' even if you are alone (he won't want to speak to a man!) in any event, always let the police know.

• If you live alone always have the telephone directory entry read 'BROWN, S' and not 'BROWN Sheila' or 'BROWN, Mrs S' You don't want to advertise the fact that you are a woman who probably lives alone; you could invite indecent telephone calls or unwanted visitors. Ask your telephone service provider to amend your entry as necessary.

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Going on Holiday

• When going on holiday always remember to cancel the milk and newspapers before you go. Give as much notice as possible for cancellation of orders. Your newsagent will always keep magazines for you at the shop until you return.

• Always ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your house while you are away.

• Call at your local Police Station and fill out a holiday form. This includes details of your holiday address and a good neighbour who is either keeping an eye on your house or has a key.

• Ask your neighbours to leave a different light on in your house at different times to give the impression that the house is occupied. You can do the same for them when they go away.

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Last revised: 03 April 2005