As festive season is approaching, it is around this season when criminals look for an opportunity to attack. Deputy Chairperson of the Community Police Forum, David Allen provides tips on how to avoid being victim of crime, what to do if you do fall victim, who to contact and many more.

The tips will help you identify criminals and help you best prepare for those unforeseen situations. We all know that the national emergency number is 10111; once you dial, you have to wait for an operator to get hold of emergency services in your area.

So why not avoid the wait, can just contact the police station direct? A lot can happen during that wait.

A life can be lost, but choosing to use it can get you help a lot faster. Mr Allen encourages you to call the Estcourt police station number on 036 342 9525/6 or 036 352 2280 when you need help in an emergency.

When making a call to the police don’t start out by saying ‘hello’, get the officer’s attention by saying ‘I need help’ and give information such as your name, contact number and address.

Here are more tips:
* Shouting the word “Fire!” attracts more attention than “help.”
* Try not to carry large sums of money on you or at least don’t flash it around.
* Physically check that your vehicle’s doors are actually locked before walking away from your vehicle
* Ensure that your keys are in your hands when you approach your vehicle, gate or home.
* If an attacker walks up to while you are in your vehicle, if possible roll up the window and attract attention by pressing your hooter or alarm.
* If you are approached by a hijacker, weigh the situation. If it is safe for you to drive off, do so immediately.
* Make sure no valuables are left out in the open, which can be seen from the outside of the vehicle, this can attract criminals.
* A kick in the knee is much more effective than a punch in the stomach.
* Piles of post at your gate shows that you are not home. Have a friend or family member to check on the property, and remove your post while you are away.
* Always be alert and vigilant when going to an ATM and returning to your vehicle after doing shopping. Your attacker saw you leave your vehicle; you have to return to your car to get back home, so look out for anyone hanging around that shouldn’t.
* If you plan on going on holiday get your security company to regularly check your property. Very importantly bring this up with the manager and not just the patrol team. Police can also patrol your area if you report that your home will be vacant.
* Avoid answering your phone or using it in public; rather walk into a shop or public bathroom cubical if you have to.
* Call the police once you notice a dodgy looking person sitting in the gutter near your gate for example. Change your route don’t immediately turn into your drive way. Drive around the block and call the police.
* Avoid using an ATM late at night. Refuse help from strangers. Don’t issue your PIN or card to anyone not even a bank official or police officer.
* Avoid hitchhikers also be careful when approaching robots. You have your vehicle stopped for a few minutes and this can be an ideal spot for criminals to grab what they can and run.

David highlighted that locals should not take for granted small-framed people. Following a discovery made by local police that most hijackings and house robberies point to people of small build. He also added that criminals love the words ‘I just.’ In most cases when police arrest suspects and question them, the suspect uses the common phrase ‘I just went next-door’ or ‘I was just going to see…’

David’s last tip is not quite what you expect it to be.

Smile! If you wear a smile often, chances are you’ve smiled at your attacker. A smile is contagious; you are likely to smile back at a smiling face.

Your smile gets associated with the attackers happy feelings, when this happens you change every other feeling. Would I want to attack someone who takes me to my happy place? This may sound silly, but it has been scientifically proven.