SAPS warn pedestrians to avoid footpaths and short-cuts

Avoid being robbed in the CBD by taking these simple precautionary steps:

March 1, 2018

Zianne Leibrandt 1 minute read

Restrict your routes to well-lit areas, and always carry a flashlight in case you encounter a dark patch in your route.

Newcastle has seen a clear increase in the number of robberies reported over the last couple of months.

In order to avoid becoming the next victim of a heinous crime, Newcastle SAPS has issued these safety tips to pedestrians when walking around the CBD.

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Avoid being robbed in the CBD by taking these simple precautionary steps:

– When walking alone at night, make sure to keep your head up and look forward. This will help you be alert and aware of your surroundings.

– To avoid looking distracted, do not walk with your cellphone in your hand. If you do, you might be tempted to look at your cellphone. If you are looking at your cellphone, then you are less aware of your surroundings and more vulnerable to a surprise attack.

– Avoid using headphones while walking. Headphones reduce your awareness of your surroundings

– Avoid dark areas like alleyways, corners, open velds and car parking lots. Restrict your routes to well-lit areas, and always carry a flashlight in case you encounter a dark patch in your route. Also, be aware and avoid walkways that have thick shrubbery, buildings, recesses, or other objects that can conceal people. Do not be tempted to take a shortcut through a dark alleyway or parking lot.

– Steer away from suspicious people. If you see something or someone suspicious in the direction you are heading, then change your route immediately. Cross the street to change your path in order to avoid suspicious people and situations.

– Avoid talking to people you do not know.