There are a few simple things you can do to feel safer when you’re out and about in London. A bit of forward planning can be helpful, and you may want to think about:
- letting friends or family know where you’re going and how you’re getting there
- choosing busy, well-lit routes
- booking a licensed cab in advance
- not wearing headphones to help with awareness of your surroundings
- keeping valuables in different pockets, so they’re not all in one place
- carrying a safety alarm with you.
Personal safety alarms
We can send you a free safety alarm – just give us a call or start a live chat if you’d like one. Safety alarms are designed to distract an attacker and give you time to get away.
If you can, remember to:
- hold the alarm as close to the attacker’s face as possible when you set it off
- drop the alarm by the attacker and escape as quickly as you can
- if there is anyone nearby, try to attract their attention.
Drink spiking
You can feel the effects of a spiked drink very quickly and it’s common for victims to suffer memory loss. If you’re going out drinking, try to:
- avoid drinks that haven’t been prepared in front of you
- never leave your drink unattended
- be wary of strangers who seem eager to get you a drink
- stay with your friends
- get help if a friend seems more drunk than you would expect
- let your friends know where you’re going – and who you’re with – if you decide to move on without them.
Ask for Angela scheme
This is a scheme to help you keep safe in bars, clubs and other venues around London. Angela is a code word you can use to let staff know that you feel unsafe. You can use it if you’re on a date and something doesn’t feel right. It could also help if you’re getting unwanted attention while you’re out.
If a venue’s supporting the scheme, their staff will be trained on how to help you. This could involve:
- getting you safely to a licensed cab
- helping you find the friends you were out with
- calling the venue security staff
- calling the police.
Dealing with a violent situation
Violent crimes don’t happen often. In the unlikely event you’re in this situation, it’s helpful to know what you could do. Try to remember:
- your belongings can be replaced, focus on your own safety
- trust your instincts and look for a way to leave
- put as much distance as you can between you and the violent person
- call 999 as soon as it’s safe to do so.
Street robbery
Most people carry valuables – phones, bank cards, watches and jewellery for example. Try to protect them by:
- keeping to well-lit, busy routes
- keeping them hidden or covered
- not placing them on outside tables at cafes or bars
- visiting the Metropolitan Police’s website for more advice on how to spot a pickpocket.
Please remember that if you’re threatened with violence by a thief, your personal safety comes first.