Situations :: While Walking

While walking, there are good chances that you can run into trouble. Besides guarding yourself from the usual pickpockets to chain snatchers, you also need to guard yourself from a new breed of cheats who are using novel modus operandi. Some of the usual tricks are:

	While walking you may come across currency notes on the street - which you discover or someone else discovers for you to start a conversation.
	Someone may throw mud at you and then there is a good smartian to help you clean it by holding your belongings, which disappear with the stranger.
	Snake charmers who will ask for an insignificant amount for the snake and then would carry on the conversation to ask for a Rs. 100/500 note or a gold ornament to be blessed by the snake. If the same is given then normally, it will be (claimed to be) swallowed by the snake - basically you loose it.
	In some parts of the country throwing chili powder or pepper powder to relieve you of belongings is also common.
	Recognise the fact that robberies and tricks, which earlier used to take place on long distance pilgrims and travelers, have now entered our streets and colony roads.
	If you are carrying valuables, let these not be seen nor should your conduct betray this fact e.g. touching your pockets or checking your suitcase frequently, looking around suspiciously or showing nervousness. This kind of conduct is likely to attract attention of criminal elements. WHILE BEING WATCHFUL AND ALERT TRY TO REMAIN NORMAL.
	If you are carrying a bag or computer note book or a camera, keep it firmly under your arm or hold it firmly close to your body. The flap or clasp with which the bag opens should be facing inside. Always try and keep the strap of the case around your wrist or across the shoulder (and chest) so that the case cannot be snatched with a single pull.
	While traveling in train, before retiring for night, if you have to keep valuables in pocket then keep in the pocket away from the common area. This would also ensure that if the valuables accidentally fall out then they are away from public eye (and hence safe)
	Anther useful way to carry currency in pocket is to seal the pocket from inside using a safety pin. This way even in crowded places the pickpocket cant slide his hand upto the currency/valuables. (You will also be inconvenienced though)
	In trains at night it is useful to latch your luggage to the bench or any pillar.
	House keys should not be kept in a carry bag but preferably in the pocket. The house keys should not have the address in the key-chain. It is unlikely that if you loose keys, the finder will deliver it to your address but there are good chances that your house will be burgled with the help of the lost keys if it also carries the address.
	Should someone try to snatch your bag or other things you are carrying, you have to quickly decide whether you can take on the snatcher. (Is he a street urchin or big bully?). Remember your life and personal safety is more valuable than your belongings. BEWARE that normally such people do not operate alone and would always have an accomplice who will either obstruct you from chasing the snatcher or would mis-guide you to a wrong direction. If you do decide to chase the snatcher, do keep an eye around you for any accomplices of the snatcher. In local buses gangs of 3 - 4 people are common. The RIGHT OF PRIVAYE DEFENCE (61) empowers you to use force for your safety.
	When passing through insecure or crowded areas or if you are at a place known for pick pocketing like a railway station, cinema hall etc., you should not carry your wallet in the back pocket. The wallet may be carried in a side pocket of your trousers, ticket pocket or in the inside pocket of your coat where the pickpocket can not reach it easily. Unless you need your purse often, you may put the purse in inside pocket and then obstruct the removal of purse by using a safety pin between the pocket layers. Ladies should hold their purses firmly with clasp towards their body.
	Many times the valet is removed by cutting the fabric of the trousers and pocket then taking it out through the cut.
	If you ever feel someone is nudging or pushing you, immediately look for your wallet if it is still there. Become alert and do act if you are alert and are aware of the danger. If may not be a bad idea to move to a different location and keep an eye if anyone else also moves with you to the new location. The idea is to pre-empt any incident and not react after the incident, for sake of your personal safety.
	Beware of tricksters who expertly divert your attention and then relieve you of your purse or wallet. The most common ploys: drawing your attention to currency notes or coins lying on the ground, showing you an article and asking if it is yours and the like. (In a foreign country, well known for street crime in the past, young girls would plant a kiss on the unwary tourists while the associates would work on their pockets for money and passports.)
	Women should hide costly or even costly looking imitation jewelry so as not to attract attention of undesirable elements.
	Always walk in well-lit areas, roads or streets even if you have to take a somewhat longer route. Avoid walking through dark alleys, wooded areas or very secluded patches even if these provide short cuts to your destination.
	If you are walking/jogging with your headphones on, you may not hear a vehicle pull from behind or someone approach you from behind for an attack. Be especially watchful. Look all around periodically to avoid being surprised.
	If your job requires walking at night in streets and alleys like doctors or night duty maintenance personnel, you should preferably carry a mobile phone to be able to contact the police. It may be a good idea for someone to call you periodically to check your well-being.
	Hitch hiking or taking lifts from strangers should be avoided, particularly by women and children.
	You should walk on the footpath, if there is one. If not, walk facing the oncoming traffic. If you walk in the direction of the vehicular traffic, a vehicle may hit you from behind without giving you a chance to save yourself. More importantly, if you walk facing the traffic, car borne criminals can not take you by surprise from behind.
	Be very careful when entering or leaving a car park specially at odd hours like late hours at night or early morning. Danger lurks around these places where unwary and usually fatigued employees come to pick up theirs cars. Women are especially vulnerable.
	Always try to park your car in a well lit and fairly open areas of the car park, preferably close to or in direct view of the car park attendant. Avoid parking by the side of pillars, cabins or big trucks etc.
	Keep the car keys ready in your hand when approaching your car. Fumbling for the keys at the car endangers your security.
	If you are attacked, raise maximum noise and scream for help, if you can, to attract attention. Many at times this can unnerve the attacker. Gadgets like Personal Alarm (s105) and Personal Protection Sprays (s138) can be used effectively for self-defence. You are the best judge to decide if you can fight back or surrender. Right of Private Defence (61) does empower you to use force to protect yourself or your property.