Staying safe this December with tips from Brixton Police Station

Police warn public of increased criminal activity over the festive season.

As schools and offices parks close for the year and shopping centres and places of entertainment fill up, the public have been warned to remember that criminals will be watching them.

The festive season is known for spikes in crimes and the Brixton Police Station is hoping to keep as many people as possible safe this December.

The station’s spokesperson Jeanette Backhoff warned that certain crimes had already started picking up around the end of November and urges them to be more vigilant and careful.

“One of the crimes that is on the increase is where people sit in their vehicles in open parking spaces, in the street or in drive ways during the night or in the early hours of the morning and they are robbed or hijacked.”

Victims of these crimes have also reported to have been dropped off in other areas after being hijacked.

Such crimes along with common robbery, theft, assault, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol are prone to rise at this time of the year. Backhoff pleaded with the community to assist them with ensuring the safety and security of the public by adhering to the law and law- enforcement officials over the festive period.

“The station cannot stress enough the importance of taking your safety into your own hands first. The police are there to combat crime but collectively with the community and its members we can beat crime.”

She reminded the public that the festive season is the time for joy and celebration and not to be a victim of someone’s cruel intentions. The station offered a few safety tips.

Festive season general safety tips provided by Brixton Police Station:

• Do not leave your any bags, gadgets and other valuable items exposed in your vehicle
• Make sure you vehicle is locked and windows are closed when leaving
• Positively identify your e-hailing taxi apps by make of car, colour of car and registration number before getting into the vehicle
• Do not walk alone during the night, rather walk in groups
• Tell someone about you whereabouts at all time
• Do not leave drinks in restaurants, night clubs, bars, and other liquor outlets unattended
• Be responsible and make sure of your surroundings
• Surround yourself with people you trust
• Do not walk with valuables in back pockets, this prevents pick pocketing. Rather put valuables in a bag that can close properly.