Costa Blanca Neighbourhood Watch / Vecinos Cooperando - Vega Baja
A Guide to Crime Prevention
Personal Safety
This is a booklet about crime and what you can do to prevent it. It is the job of the Police to fight crime, but we can help to bring crime down. Most crimes are against property, not people, and not many crimes are carefully planned. Most are committed by young men on the spur of the moment when they see the chance: possessions left in cars or a door or window to a house left open. But you can try to reduce the risk by securing your car and home. This will also help the Police, by giving them more time to tackle serious crime. That is good for you and your family, because it makes your neighbourhood a safer place to live.
The chances that you or a member of your family will be a victim of violent crime are low. Nevertheless many people are frightened that someone close to them may be the victim of an attack, and the best way to reduce the risk of attack is by taking sensible precautions. Make sure that your house or flat is secure. Always secure outside doors. If you have to use a key, keep it nearby, you may need to get out quickly in the event of fire. Don’t give keys to workmen or tradesmen, as they can easily make copies. A telephone extension in your bedroom helps you to feel more secure because you can phone the nearest Co-ordinator or the Police when needed. Never reveal information about yourself to unknown people and never say you are alone. Equally, keep all keys out of sight at all times. Thieves may steal them and then return to finish their crime at a later date. If you think you may have mislaid your keys, get them replaced immediately.
Use only your surname and initials in the phone directory, on the doorplate, and, if you have one, beside an entry system button. If you see signs of a break in at your home, don’t go in, see your nearest Coordinator in your area or phone the District Policeman or the Police. If you are selling your home, don’t show people around on your own. Please use professional accredited estate agents. When you answer the phone say only hello, don’t give your number. If you receive an abusive or threatening phone call, put the receiver down beside the phone, don’t say anything and walk away. This allows the caller to say what he wants. Come back later to replace the receiver. This may help the Police trace the caller. Always keep the emergency services’ telephone numbers close to your phone. In a panic situation you might forget the correct number. If in doubt call 112.
Out & About
Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards. Carry your house and car keys in your pockets. If someone grabs your bag, let it go. If you hang on, you could get hurt. Your safety is more important than your property. If you walk home in the dark, get a personal attack alarm. Carry it in your hand so you can use it immediately to scare off an attacker. If you go running, jogging or cycling regularly, try to vary your route and time. Stick to well lit roads with pavements; avoid short cuts or dark alleys; walk facing the traffic; if a car stops and you are afraid scream and shout; get away as quickly as you can; don’t hitch-hike or take lifts from strangers.
If you think you are being followed and you have double-checked by crossing the street, try to go to the nearest place where there are other people. Don’t go to a phone box, as the attacker could trap you there.