Senior Constable & Community Liaison Officer Ash Dixit of the VIC police offers some advice
Safety when Driving
• Don’t pick up hitchhikers.
• Have car keys or remote entry ready when approaching your car.
• Always look through the car windows before getting into your car.
• Drive with your doors locked and windows wound up.
• If you are being followed, drive to a place where you can get help and attract attention: a police station, service (petrol) station, convenience store etc.
• Make sure you have enough fuel to reach your destination.
• Keep property, such as coins, sunglasses, laptops, iPods and mobile phones out of view.
• Park in well-lit areas.
Using ATMs Safely
• When using an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)
• It is preferable to use an ATM in a well-lit place.
• Only take out what money you need.
• Don’t count your money in full view of strangers.
• Always put money and card away before leaving the ATM.
• Place money in a secure place like the front pocket of your pants, handbag or wallet.
• Do not place your money in your shirt pocket or back pocket.
• Don’t keep your PIN in your wallet or purse.
The Safety Plan
• Develop a safety plan. Planning ahead may enable you to think more clearly and provide you with the confidence to carry out the plan if things go wrong.
• Develop a network of people you can contact for assistance such as relatives, friends, neighbours, school /university teachers, shopkeepers and police.
• Program the emergency number 000 into your mobile phone.
• Tell people where you are going and what time you will return.
• Ask for help if you feel unsafe.
• Report any incident to police.
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