Be safe and stay safe: Practical personal safety tips by Andrew Greenslade M.Ed

Andrew Greenslade, former long-service police detective, special branch officer, crime investigation skills trainer and Sky TV's resident UK police expert, shares some personal safety tips with Crimestoppers. Based on testimonials from real, serious and violent crimes, Andrew's advice could help prevent you from being a victim of crime. [September 2009]

• Always have a plan
• Practice it
• Act fast
• Always be aware and alert
• You must know where you are and what is going on around you at all times

Body language

When you are out and about, keep your head up, swing your arms and stand straight up. Be, look and act confidently.

Most fights are won before they start and aggressors will back down if you maintain eye contact and are not intimidated by them.

In your car

Do you have a tendency to get into your car and just sit there for a while? Doing your paperwork, diary or makeup, drinking a coffee etc? DON'T DO IT!

As soon as you get into your car, lock the doors and leave.

Is someone coming towards you menacingly?

Find an obstacle, such as a parked car, and run around it several times. This may sound silly, but a number of women have claimed that this saved their lives.

Get under the car. Once you are underneath, there are many things you can hold onto. The attacker will not be able to get you out and is not likely to come under the car for you. You should practice getting under your car in advance - you must have a plan. Know if you will be going on your back, front, from the side or back of the car.

In a car park or garage

Be aware - Look around you, look inside your car, look at the floor on the passenger side and in the back seat before you get in.

Do not park next to a van. If find that you are parked next to a van when you return to your car and the van is on the driver's side, enter your vehicle from the passenger side.

Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle as well as at the passenger side. If someone is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, go back to the shops or back to work, and ask a colleague to walk back out with you.

It's always better to be safe than sorry.

While driving

Always lock your car doors whilst driving.

Plan and vary your route.

Before you leave, tell someone where you are going, how long you think you will be, what route you will take and who you are meeting.

Carry a spare can of petrol at all times.

Taxi/Private Hire

Always order taxis so that the driver can be traced.

Ask for the name of the driver beforehand.

Ask for a description of the car - colour, make, etc.

Check these details when it arrives.

Car breakdowns

Ensure that the car doors are locked and get straight on the phone.

Always keep a blanket, warm clothes, a pair of boots and a torch in your car for emergencies.

If it's noon on a business day, you may want to put your hazard lights on and walk to safety.

If it's 2 am, put on your warm clothes and walk to a lit area.

You are an easy target if you just sit in your car.

If you're on a desolate road, walk away from the car (in your warm clothes) and go for some cover in an area away from your vehicle.

It may be cold and uncomfortable, but you do not want to stay in your car. Remember, no-one will have known that you were going to break down there and then, but you are vulnerable to opportunist attackers who may spot you sitting alone in your car.

When you have reached safety and are having your car serviced, only give the mechanic your car keys and not house keys etc. They will have ready access to key duplicators and they will have your address and other personal information on their computer.

In your own home

Never open your door until you have positively identified who is there.

If you don't have a ‘Spy Hole', get one.

If other people, such as previous tenants, could still have keys that fit, change the locks. Don't give keys to workmen or tradesmen, as they can easily make copies.

If you see signs of a break-in at your home, like a smashed window or open door, don't go in. Go to a neighbour and call the police.

If you are selling your home, don't show people around on your own. Ask your estate agent to send a representative with anyone who wants to view your house.

On the phone

When you answer the phone, simply say “hello”; never give your name or phone number.

If the caller claims to have a wrong number, ask him or her to repeat the number required. Do not offer the information yourself.

Never reveal any information about yourself to a stranger and never say you are alone in the house.

In public places

Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards.

Carry your house keys in your pocket not your bag.

If someone grabs your bag – let go of it. Your safety is more important than your property.

Regularly change your routines and routes. Mark out houses at intervals on each route you take that may be used as ‘safe houses' in the event of attack, such as shops or houses that you know to be occupied by a friend or acquaintance. Try to incorporate these houses every time you vary your route.

Ladies, you are naturally more sympathetic than men. Don't be. Attackers have been known to play on the sympathies of unsuspecting women by asking for help or assistance.

If you are walking alone in the dark (which you shouldn't be) and you find someone following or chasing you, scream “Fire!” instead of “Help!” Many people don't want to get involved when they hear “Help!”, but “Fire!" always gets their attention. Then run.

If you think someone is following you, check by crossing the street – more than once if necessary – to see if they follow.

If you are still worried, get to the nearest place where there are other people – a pub or anywhere with a lot of lights on – and call the police.

Always carry a personal attack alarm.

Defending yourself

You have every right to defend yourself with reasonable force using items you have with you, such as an umbrella, hairspray or keys. All can be extremely effective against an attacker. The law does NOT allow you to carry anything which can be described as an offensive weapon, or was being deliberately carried for that purpose.

The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do so. Aim right at the nose and keep looking at the ‘target' as you strike.

Practice the ‘Open Palm Strike'. Think of suddenly and explosively extending your arms out in front of your and pushing someone in the chest with both of the open palms of your hands (i.e. not clenched fists). With your arms starting normally by your sides, do this as fast and as hard as you can in one continuous flowing movement. Lean forward and get all of your body weight behind the thrust. The solar plexus or face are the best target areas. Shout “GET BACK!” as loud as you can. Don't be half hearted. If you find yourself in the precarious position of being attacked then do the Open Palm Strike like you mean it! At the very least, the assailant will be momentarily stunned and you will have created some more space between you. As soon as you have struck, run for the nearest place of safety.

The knee is also a very strong weapon, especially for the incapacitation of men. Again, always maintain your visual aim at the target to strike where you aim. Do it with all your force.

The eyes are the most vulnerable part of the body - poke your attacker there hard. It may be your only window of opportunity.

Punch your attacker in the throat to cut off their air supply.

• Resist – Don't go along with your attacker
• Fight/run if you are able to
• Don't give up

Have a plan

It's a sorry fact of life that people get assaulted, and worse, all the time by violent criminals.

No-one expects it. So you must be prepared and aware.

Notice detail. Try to remember everything you see and hear and repeat it back to yourself. This will improve your memory and powers of recall.

• Be prepared to act
• Act fast
• Have a plan

Andrew Greenslade is a former long-service police detective, special branch officer, and crime investigation skills trainer whose expertise lies in every aspect of crime investigations, surveillance operations, handling covert human intelligence sources (informants) and the recovery and identification of human remains whether caused by suspicious death or major disaster. He has worked in some of the most socio-economically deprived areas of the United Kingdom.

Managing Director of Greenslade Business Consultants Ltd, a personnel and business improvement & training consultancy which is comprised of former police officers who utilise their expertise by providing associated training and other ‘services' to the public and private sector.

SKY TV's resident UK Police Expert on their Crime and Investigation Network Channel (SKY Channel 553, SKY HD Channel 555 and Virgin 237) and also a feature writer on their website. See ‘Features' and ‘Ask the Expert'.

Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Crime Advisor, Chair of the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Business Crime Working Group, Business Advisor to the Young Enterprise scheme and a regular crime conference speaker who is internationally known and well travelled.

A qualified pilot and published author of many crime orientated articles and stories, Andrew is a much sought after speaker in relation to crime, aviation and military history, genealogy, ‘heir hunting' and astrology.

He enjoys flying, motorcycling, motor racing, teaching advanced driving, classical music, creative writing and genealogical research.