Personal Saftey

The next time you find yourself zig-zagging down the street, wearing your invisible "beer jacket" and mumbling to a mate on your mobile, consider this: You’ve got Mugging/Attack Victim written all over you.

Yes, even you, Mr. Superman.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Investigate what security options are available at your college. Figure out where you need to be and get there—fast, efficiently and, preferably, with a mate. Leave your MP3 and phone in your bag and trust your instincts while you walk to and from home. And if something or someone looks or feels wrong, it probably is. Get somewhere safe, and don’t EVER feel too self-conscious or afraid to ask for help.

Here are our 20 Top Tips for getting home safely:

1. Find out what kind of security/safety programmes your campus runs. Some colleges have late-night buses to take students to and from certain areas, others have security guards who can be booked to walk you to across campuses

2. Investigate whether your college, nearby gym or YMCA offers self-defence courses. These are not only great for improving your health, but they can also increase your self-confidence and make you appear less of a victim

3. Stick to main roads and forsake all shortcuts. Take a route home that has the most traffic

4. Put aside a bit of extra money in a separate pocket of your purse or wallet at the beginning of the night. That way, if you are out late and get drunk, you’ll remember that extra £20 and you can take a taxi home

5. Find a friend to share a taxi with or who is going back in your direction and leave with them. Better to leave a bit early than not get home at all

6. Choose black or licensed taxis over mini-cabs, unless you’re travelling with friends. You don’t want to find yourself late at night, in a slightly dodgy car with a stranger who may not know your direct route home. And certainly don’t give away any personal information about yourself during the ride

7. If you are travelling alone on a tube or a train, stay near the ticket collector until the train arrives, and get on at the first carriage near the driver

8. Ask your bus driver politely if they can let you off at the stop closest to your street. They are not usually allowed to do this but it can’t hurt to ask

9. If you walk home and think someone is following you, cross the road or duck into a shop or bar until they pass. If they still linger, call a friend to see if they can come meet you or pick you up, or report it to someone in the shop or restaurant

10. Keep your belongings close to your body, and don’t faff about looking for keys, your mobile or anything else while you walk. If you seem distracted, you will make for easier prey. Have your keys ready. These can also be used as a handy weapon if necessary

11. Do not consult maps or directions out on the street; make sure you know where you are going before you leave from anywhere

12. Walk confidently, and look from side to side regularly. Victims become so because they appear weak and/or afraid

13. Do not wear a walkman or talk on your mobile, unless absolutely necessary. Your sense of hearing is one of the greatest tools you can use to protect yourself

14. Trust your instincts at all costs. Foresight can be your best defence. If you feel uncomfortable about a situation, don’t be embarrassed to ask for help or refuse the attention of a stranger

15. If a stranger does approach you, remember that you didn’t ask for help and they are not someone you know. Decline the offer, no matter how charming or compelling it may seem, by using strong verbal and body language. Raise your hand up and say things like “No, I don’t want your help” rather than, “No thanks, that’s fine, really” etc. It is better to be on the safe side and be harsh to someone who may have been genuine, rather than be too nice to someone who is out to harm you

16. If you feel you are in danger of being attacked, shout loudly words such as “Stop! Stay Away! Do not come any closer!” repeatedly. Shouting “Help!” or “Save Me!” may make you seem even more a victim, so use aggressive language and it may work to your advantage

17. Activate a personal alarm if you have one. Any distraction may give you a few extra seconds to get away

18. If you get grabbed from behind, try kicking into your assailant’s shin and scraping downwards from the knee to the ankle, or skewer their foot with your shoe heel

19. If must use self-defence, aim higher, rather than lower. Kneeing someone in the groin may be painful, but often it only makes your attacker’s adrenalin kick in and can make them angrier. Try striking bony parts of their body (knees, elbows, ankles etc.) or claw at their eyes. A hard punch on the bridge of the nose will usually do the trick.

20. If you ever feel frightened or in danger, phone 999 on your mobile and give them your location before any other details