1. PERSONAL SAFETY DAY Alcohol Drugs Mobile Phones Out and About
Personal Assault
Safe Driving
Safety at Home
Surf Safe
Using Cash Machines
Using Public Transport and Taxis
Top Tips and Useful Contacts

2. PERSONAL SAFETY DAY
In Newport, the chances that you or a member of your
family will be a victim of violent crime are low.
However, do not be complacent.
By taking a few simple precautions, you can reduce the
risk of becoming a victim of crime even further.

3. Alcohol In moderation, drinking can be a pleasant and relatively
harmless activity but everyone should be aware of his/her
limitations. Don’t forget, 2 units of alcohol will put you
over the legal driving limit. Guidelines state that safe
limits of alcohol consumption per week are 21 units for
men and 14 for women.
1 unit = single measure of spirits, one glass of table wine
2 units = 1 pint average bitter, cider, lager
3 units = 1 can of extra strong lager
4 units = one pint of very strong bitter, cider or lager, Guinness

4. Alcohol Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol will affect your mood; although it is often thought to
make people more lively and chatty, it does depress certain
functions of the brain; co-ordination, judgement and self
control are temporarily affected, you may become
depressed, and take out-of-character risks under the
influence of alcohol.
Killer hangovers: Most of us say ‘never again’ which lasts…
until the next time.

5. Alcohol
Tips
Try having the odd low-alcohol or non alcoholic drink during the evening.
Pace yourself.
Remember: you don’t have to be drunk to have a good time.
Remember: only time removes alcohol from the blood stream, so you could still be well over the limit in the morning after the night before.

6. Alcohol
Long Term
Alcohol is a drug and over indulgence on a regular, long-term basis can lead to dependency.
Excessive drinking will damage your liver, and could lead to other medical complications like high blood pressure or in extreme cases, brain damage.
Alcohol related depression and psychological difficulties are common, with related social and financial problems often following.

7. Drugs Avoid substance abuse be it smoked, injected, eaten,
sniffed or snorted. All classes of drugs, apart from alcohol,
tobacco and those prescribed for you, are illegal in the UK.

8. Drugs
Be Well Informed
If you’re caught possessing drugs within college, you may be asked to leave, and face a disciplinary hearing.
Drugs can be chemically and/or psychologically addictive.
Drugs can be detected in your body for a long time.
ALL drugs carry risks.
Many drugs sold on the ‘street’ have been mixed with other substances, so users can NEVER be sure what they’re getting.

9. Drugs
Users may become tolerant to some drugs (e.g. alcohol, heroin and speed). This means their bodies have become used to the drug they need to take MORE to get the effect they want.
Users may OVERDOSE (take too much for their bodies to handle). With alcohol, heroin and gases, glues and aerosols, an overdose can prove FATAL.
Drugs affect everyone differently. Sometimes people suffer a bad reaction.
If you’ve called an ambulance and you know what drugs have been taken, always tell the crew.
IT MIGHT SAVE A LIFE and you won’t get into trouble.

10. Mobile Phones Be aware of your surroundings.
Avoid using your phone in crowded situations.
Always use the phone’s security lock code or PIN.
Keep the phone with you and do not leave unattended.
Avoid having the phone in public view.
Avoid texting while out on the street.
Have the phone security marked and keep a clear record of its details.

11. Out and About Be alert – walk with purpose and confidence.
Plan your route there and back; avoid short cuts through unlit or deserted areas.
Whenever possible do not walk alone.
Let someone know where you are going and your time of return.
Walk facing the traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you unnoticed.
If you regularly walk alone or go jogging or cycling, try to vary your route and time and take the routes that you know best.

12. Out and About
Be aware of your surroundings; an MP3 Player may prevent you from hearing traffic or somebody approaching behind you.
Cover up expensive looking jewellery.
Take a mobile phone and the number of someone you know. Do not use mobile phones in open view.
Carry a personal attach alarm in your hand or on your belt (available from some police stations).
If you are carrying a handbag, wear it across your body or under your coat with the clasp inwards.
Keep your house and car keys along with some loose change in a pocket, not in your bag.

13. Out and About
If you use a wheelchair, think about where would be the safest place to carry your bag.
If your bag is snatched do not resist but shout for help.
Have your keys ready so that you can get into your house or car quickly.
If you think you are being followed, cross the street, more than once if necessary; if you become certain you are being followed go to the nearest place where there are people such as a pub or shop and call the police.
If a car stops and the occupant asks for directions keep your distance.

14. Out and About
If you are confronted, use your alarm and run; scream and shout to attract attention.
Do not hitchhike or accept lifts from strangers.
Do not get into a car with someone you don’t know.

15. Personal Assault Rohypnol: The most commonly used drug in personal
assault. It is a tranquiliser, prescribed privately for
Insomnia in Britain, and takes effect within 30 minutes to
2 hours.
Plan your night out if you can and let someone know where you’re going and what time you expect to get home.
Avoid going for an evening alone.
Remember that alcohol affects your reactions; you’ll be less alert.

16. Personal Assault Never accept a drink from someone you don’t know.
Never leave your drink unattended.
Think carefully before going off with someone you’ve just met.
Watch your drink: spiked drinks may taste, smell and look normal.
If your drink has been moved, looks topped up or tastes funny …… then don’t trust it. Get another one!

17. Personal Assault What to do if you think your drink has been spiked
Get yourself to a place of safety.
If you are with a close friend, get them to take you home.
Be aware that some attacks are committed by people known to their victim.
If you are alone or with a stranger tell the manager or door staff.

18. Personal Assault If you think you have been raped Don’t shower.
Go straight to the police with a friend. The police will take blood and urine samples, vital for forensic evidence.
Rohypnol passes through the system within 48 hours so reporting quickly is vital.

19. Safe Driving
Always have your car regularly serviced and make periodic checks of the tyres, oil and water.
Join a national breakdown organisation and always carry your membership card.
Plan your route using main roads as far as possible and avoid the need to stop and ask directions.
Ensure you have enough fuel for your journey; consider carrying spare fuel in an approved container.
Carry some change, phonecard or a mobile phone.
Keep your doors locked when travelling and when stopping for fuel.

20. Safe Driving
Keep items such as coats, scarves, bags, chequebooks, credit cards, mobile phones and other valuables out of view.
Never pick up hitchhikers.
In slow moving traffic do not open the windows more than an inch or two.
If you think you are being followed keep driving until you reach a busy, public place.
If you are forced to stop or followed home, keep your engine running. If you are approached turn on your hazard lights and sound your horn.

21. Safe Driving
Always park in well lit and preferably a busy area; make sure all doors and the boot are locked. Take extra care in multi storey car parks.
When you come back to your car have your key ready and check there is no one in the car.
If you are unlucky enough to break down and are waiting for rescue, sit in the front passenger seat. On a motorway it is safer to sit away from your car, on the embankment, leaving the passenger door open.

22. Safety at Home
Theft
KNOW THE RISK: Make sure all the doors and windows have good locks.
LOCK IT UP: Half of all burglaries happen on the spur of the moment through unlocked doors or windows. Always lock your door.
DEADLOCKS: Burglars who come through windows hate deadlocks because you need a key to open them from the inside and outside. If you have them – use them.
LOOK SHARP: If you live in flats, make sure nobody follows you in when you walk through main entrances.

23. Safety at Home
DON’T SHOW IT OFF: Make sure your TV, other valuables and cash can’t be seen from the window.
KEYS: Don’t leave spare keys outside. Keep all keys out of sight in the house; car theft through burglary is on the rise.
UV MARKING: Use an ultraviolet pen to mark your belongings with your house number and postcode.
SAFETY FIRST: If you see signs of a break in like smashed windows or open doors don’t go in. Go to a neighbours house and call the police.
UNKNOWN CALLERS: If you are not sure about the caller, ask them for an ID card or to make an appointment to come back when a friend or family member can be with you. If in doubt, keep them out!

24. Surf Safe Internet Safety Tips
It’s best not to give out your personal details to online mates.
Personal details include your messenger id, address, mobile number and any pictures of you, your family or friends.
If you publish a picture or video online – anyone can change or share it.
SPAM/Junk and texts: don’t believe it, reply to it or use it.

25. Surf Safe
It’s not a good idea to open files that are from people you don’t know. You won’t know what they contain – it could be a virus, or worse – an inappropriate image or film.
It’s easier to get on with people online and say things you wouldn’t offline (Some people lie online).
It’s better to keep online mates online. Don’t meet up with any strangers. Better to be uncool than unsafe!
It’s never too late to tell someone if something makes you feel uncomfortable.

26. Using Cash Machines
Do not let anyone see or know your PIN. When entering your PIN, cover the keypad with your other hand as you input the numbers to avoid anyone or anything recording your PIN.
Be quick and leave the cash point as soon as you have completed the transaction.
Try not to use a cash point late at night or in a deserted street.
Never count money in the street, put it away immediately.
Do not write down your PIN.
Be aware of your surroundings.

27. Using Cash Machines
If it is difficult to insert your card do not accept offers of help from any passers by.
Cancel your card immediately if it is retained by the cash machine, lost or stolen.

28. Using Public Transport
Wait for a bus or a train in a well-lit place close to other people.
On a station stand well back on the platform.
If the bus is empty, or it’s after dark, sit on the lower deck and near the driver or conductor.
On a train, sit with other people and avoid empty carriages.
If you feel uneasy or threatened move to another seat or carriage or get off at the next bus stop. If necessary complain to the driver, conductor or guard.

29. Using Public Transport
Taxis
Use a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle from a well known firm.
Make sure that you have the telephone number of the taxi company you have booked.
When the taxi arrives ask the name of the person the driver is to collect, as well as the name of the company.
Do not get into a taxi you have not asked for.
If possible, share a taxi with a friend.

30. Using Public Transport
Always sit in the back; if you chat to the driver do not give away any personal details.
When arriving home, have your money and house keys ready and consider asking the driver to wait until you are in the house.
If the driver makes you feel uneasy, ask him to stop at a busy public place and get out. If he refuses to stop, raise the alarm by waving or shouting out of the window.

31. Top Tips LOCK IT UP: Lock up your house/flat whenever you go out.
SAFE AS HOUSES: If you live in a flat, be careful who you let in.
NEVER WALK ALONE: Walk in groups at night, travel by taxi or stay over with friends.
WATCH IT: Use cash machines during the day. Put your card and cash away quickly. NEVER write down your PIN.
PUT IT AWAY: Keep cards and cheque books separate, and a record of card and mobile details so you can cancel them quickly.

32. Top Tips
AUTO-MATIC SAFETY: Always lock your car, put valuables out of sight and never leave the keys in the ignition.
THINK WHEN YOU DRINK: When you have a night out, arrange how you’re getting home. Keep an eye on your drinks as they can be spiked.
CLOSE CALL: Take your mobile out, but not on display. Stay aware of who’s around if you make a call. If your phone is stolen, report it.
MARK IT UP: Mark your property with your house number and postcode. If stolen this could help you get it back.

33. Useful Telephone Numbers
Write down some useful telephone numbers to use
when you need help:
SOMEONE YOU KNOW – for example family or friends.
YOUR LOCAL POLICE STATION – find out the number to call in the phone book under ‘Police’. Call 999 if you want the police to come straight away.
VICTIM SUPPORT – offers free support and information if you are a victim of crime ( ).
CRIMESTOPPERS – works to stop crime for you, your family and your community. You can call Crimestoppers and give information about a crime without giving your name ( ).

34. Acknowledgements www.crimestoppers-uk.org www.eusa.ed.ac.uk