PRESS RELEASE – “Weekend Crime Prevention Tips” is a production of the Press Office of the Royal St Lucia Police Force.
Crime prevention means being aware of your environment and remaining alert to situations that could make you vulnerable to crime. We cannot list specific measures that will protect you from every threatening situation, which may arise
ROBBERY
The recently released island wide 2015 Crime Statistics Report stated that robbery offences has increased steadily over the past three years with the year 2015 recording an increase of 18% when compared to 2014. Three hundred and sixty (362) incidents of Robbery were recorded for 2015.
The following tips may help reduce the risk of being a victim of robbery.
- If possible, don’t walk alone during late-night hours. Walk in groups whenever you can—there is always safety in numbers.
- Let a family member or friend know your destination and your estimated time of arrival or return. That way, the police can be notified as quickly as possible if there is a problem.
- Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible. Avoid alleys, vacant lots, wooded areas, and other short-cuts or secluded areas. They are usually not well-lit or heavily traveled.
- Walk on the sidewalk whenever possible. Walk close to the curb, avoiding doorways, bushes, and other potential hiding places.
- If you have to walk in the street, walk facing traffic. A person walking with traffic can be followed, forced into a car, and abducted more easily than a person walking against traffic.
- If on a public bus or some other mode of transportation, be mindful of your surroundings when seating next to a window. An individual can reach in and grab an item from you whilst seated on that vehicle.
- Wear clothing and shoes that give you freedom of movement. And don’t burden yourself with too many packages or items.
- Always be aware of your surroundings. If you are wearing headphones, don’t turn up the volume so high that you cannot hear outside noises or just don’t wear them at all whilst in public.
- Never hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.
- Avoid carrying large sums of cash, or displaying expensive jewelry in public.
“We, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force would like to encourage the citizenry to think “Crime Prevention” in day-to-day living.
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