Personal safety

• Do not look like a victim - be streetwise. Some areas are best avoided. Almost 50% of assaults happen in daylight. Walk briskly with a sense of purpose. Be aware that thugs often operate in teams, one distracting in front whilst another attacks from behind - striking or snatching a bag. If you do encounter an attacker or intruder, never try to block their exit.On a busy street, carry your handbag on the side furthest from the road and keep the contents to a minimum, keep valuables in your pocket. The less there is in a handbag the less likely you are to fight for it, and the less likely you are to get hurt. If it is snatched let it go and get a good description of the thief and remember his/her direction of travel.
• Keep your wallet in a deep pocket or a pocket that can button up.
• Do not put address labels on keys. If you loose your keys, change your locks immediately.
• Do not keep chequecards and chequebooks together.
• Do not write your personal identification number (PIN) on the chequebook or in any other piece of paper in your bag, purse or wallet. Neither the police nor the bank will contact you to ask for these details, so do not give details over the telephone to anyone. The bank will issue you with a new card and a new PIN.
• Remember, if your debit or credit card is lost or stolen, let the bank/card company know immediately.
• Never walk down the street too close to buildings. An attacker could pull you into a doorway.
• If you live alone, never put your title or first name in the phone book or on a doorplate.
• On an escalator, keep your handbag nearest to the wall, away from people on the opposite side.
• Avoid parking near bushes - it could hide an attacker.
• When approaching your parked car or your front door, always have your keys ready in your hand.
• If you have a dog allow it to roam freely around the house at night.
• When walking, be confident, walk with purpose, and always walk towards oncoming traffic. Carry a stout walking stick or an umbrella.
• Do not leave keys in hiding places - for example under the door mat, on a string through the letterbox, or under a flowerpot. Thieves know all of the hiding places.
• Always come home to a light, which has been activated either by a time or light-sensitive switch.
• Fighting back is not always a good thing - you could get hurt badly.

• Pubs, restaurants and other venues are often crowded. Do not leave bags over the back of your chair and keep wallets and purses close to your body to make it more difficult for the pickpocket.
• Make prior arrangements as to how you will get home. Avoid any potential disturbances on the street.
• Stay with friends if you can. Avoid the temptation to take a minicab on the street even if you are having difficulty getting a taxi - it is illegal for minicabs to take passengers who have not pre-booked.
• Make sure someone knows where you are going and what time you will be back.
• Do not drink too much alcohol - you could become a target for thieves.

• Park your car in a recognised car park or other secure place.
• Prior to leaving your vehicle, ensure that you have locked all the doors and that windows are tightly closed. Make sure the steering lock, if fitted, is engaged and ensure the alarm is on if you have one.
• When paying for goods, try not to expose large amounts of cash in your possession. Be careful regarding your chequebooks, cheque cards, pin numbers, etc. Do not keep your chequebook and card together.
• If possible, avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Do not carry wallets, purses, etc, in easily accessible pockets and be aware of pick pockets in crowded shopping areas.
• When in a restaurant be careful where you place your bags and purchases. Put them under the table or hook the handle around your leg.
• Do not hide spare keys in the wheel well, under the bumper or anywhere on the car. Carry them with you.
• Never leave any possessions or purchases on view inside the car. If you have to leave them, discreetly lock them in the boot, do not leave bags lying on the seat. Be vigilant when returning to your car with your purchases.

• Place valuables in a locker or drawer away from areas to which the general public has access. A bag left at the side of a desk or behind the counter presents easy access for the criminal. Wallets left in jackets on the back of chairs, or purses on view, prove similarly attractive. The theft of a handbag, wallet or purse is inconvenient, upsetting, and a personal affront.
• At train or bus stations be aware of your surroundings, especially late at night.
• Listening to personal stereos or reading a book are distractions, which may cause you to miss someone approaching, or a situation developing.
• Try to stay near other people.
• Avoid confrontation with drunken, aggressive, or persistent people and move away from them.
• When on the train, sit in a carriage with other people. If the carriage becomes empty or your feelings cause you to worry, trust in those feelings and move to another carriage with other people.
• When on a bus, avoid riding on the top deck of double decked buses, and try to sit near to the driver.
• When using taxis, use a firm known to you if possible. If you call a taxi from a public place, try to make sure you are not overheard. If you can, obtain the name of the firm and the driver's name. Make sure the driver knows your name and asks for you by name upon arrival.
• If you think you are being followed in your car, never go home - drive to a police station if possible or any area where there are other people.
• Lock the doors of your vehicle when you are on your own, especially after dark.
• Keep valuables out of sight. Where valuables are on view there is an increased chance for the opportunist thief to quickly open the door and grab them at road junctions or traffic lights.
• Never leave any property in motor vehicles.

Sussex has 379 cameras in public spaces like town centres that stream live to Brighton and Haywards Heath. The network can be searched from police stations around the county simply by typing in the time and location required.

In 2009/2010, CCTV in Sussex monitored in excess of 35,000 incidents, with 1,055 suspects being arrested as a direct result of its use.

"The efficient use of CCTV provides an invaluable tool for investigating crime, as well as being very effective in managing incidents as they unfold. However, this must always be set against a proper respect and appreciation of the right of individuals to a private life. All our operators are trained to abide by strict codes of practice. The Sussex Police Authority independent CCTV monitoring scheme will employ the skills of independent volunteers from around the County who have been trained, security cleared and are managed by the Authority to perform this important public scrutiny role."

- Inspector Roger Fox, CCTV Manager, Sussex Police.