Personal Safety

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Personal Safety

Whilst there are not many violent crimes in our area, there are things you can do to help keep yourself safe when you are out and about.

Out Walking

Don’t take short cuts through dark alleyways or across waste ground – try to keep to the main pedestrian routes. These will be better lit and there will be more people around.

Walk facing the traffic so that no-one can pull up behind you in a car.

Don’t hitch-hike or accept lifts from strangers.

A personal alarm will increase your confidence – one which makes a loud noise should be carried in your hand so it can be activated quickly to attract attention. These are available from Aviemore Police Station for a small fee.

If you think you are being followed, cross the road to see if the person does the same. Go quickly to a well lit, public area where there are other people and call the police.

Always carry your bag close to you and make sure all fastenings are secure. It is a good idea to carry your house and car keys in a coat pocket – if your bag is stolen you will still be able to get home and get inside. Call the police as soon as you can to report the crime.

If you are a man, try not to walk behind a woman if you are going in the same direction as her – walk on the other side of the road to reassure her you are not following her. Resist chatting to a woman who is on her own at a bus stop etc. – she won’t know you mean her no harm, and your admiring looks may be mistaken for something more sinister.

If you are attacked

Think what you will do if you are attacked – will you fight back, or play along and wait for a chance to escape ?

Make as much noise as you can to let other people know that there is something wrong.

You are allowed to use items you normally carry to defend yourself – hairspray, keys, umbrella etc, but you are not allowed to carry any kind of weapon just in case you are attacked. 

Contact your Community Safety Officer at Aviemore Police Station for more information and advice.

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