Crime prevention means being aware of your environment and remaining alert to situations that could make you vulnerable to crime.
The suggestions presented should not be thought of as a list of crime prevention measures, but as examples of common sense behaviour that will help you to make life safer and more secure.

Protecting yourself:
While walking:

• If at all possible, never walk alone.
• If you absolutely have to walk alone, walk on well-lit, well-travelled walkways and plan your route ahead of time. Avoid places where attackers might hide (spaces between parked cars, overgrown shrubs, and dark passageways) and areas where you might get cornered. Remember that it is best to walk facing traffic.
• If anyone follows you, look confident and let him or her know you are aware of their presence. Don’t be polite or engage in any conversation.
• If they continue to follow you, cross the street and/or change directions.
• If this doesn’t work, walk toward other people or occupied buildings and stay away from places where you might get cornered.

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When using a motor vehicle:
• If someone follows you and is persistent or becomes obscene, write down the licence number and report it to the police as soon as possible.
• If you are trapped in your vehicle, press your hooter in quick, short bursts. This will attract people’s attention.
• Make sure that all of the car doors are locked whenever you leave your vehicle.
(Remote jamming is common in Estcourt).

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• When returning to your vehicle, have your keys ready so you can enter your car quickly and be aware of your surroundings. If you have to look into a purse or a pocket to find them, it takes extra time and you lose sight of what is around you, which could allow someone to sneak up on you.
• As you approach your vehicle, look underneath to make sure no one is hiding there.
• Before you enter your vehicle, look to see if all of the doors are locked or if there are any uninvited passengers in the back seat or on the floor. If your door locks are not the way you left them or you see someone inside, leave the area as quickly as possible and notify the police.
• Don’t pick up hitchhikers.

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