Crimes - Street crime and personal safety
Examples and quotes
Here are some examples of street crime, and quotes from victims and witnesses.Robbery - using violence or a threat to steal something
"He pulled a knife on me, and made me give him my mobile."Theft - stealing something without someone knowing
"Someone took my bag when I wasn't looking."Harassment - threatening or insulting someone a lot
"A group of girls kept sending me insulting emails and text messages."Criminal damage - harming or destroying something that is not yours
"I saw a bunch of kids breaking windows by throwing stones at them."Assault - hurting someone physically
"A group of kids came up to me, and one of them punched me in the head."Of course, these crimes don't just happen in the street. They can happen anywhere - at school, at home, in parks, at clubs and leisure centres. You might know the person who does it to you; or it could be a stranger. Wherever it happens, or whoever does it, it is still a crime.
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Street crime can happen to anyone. But young people may be especially at risk because they are out and about a lot.
In 2005:
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How do victims of street crime feel?
Even if you are not physically hurt, it can be frightening to be a victim of street crime. You might react in different ways. Some people feel shocked and scared, and some people don't feel very much. The feelings might come later on. If you've been a victim of crime or know someone who has, you could try our online activity called 'How are you feeling?'.
It can be helpful to talk to someone about what has happened. Victim Support helps lots of victims of crime every year. Find out more.
We have some other online activities you could try.
- What's in your bag? 7-11 year olds
- What's in a bag? 11-14 year olds.
If you are a victim of street crime, don't blame yourself. Nothing you do or say gives someone the right to hurt you or take or destroy your things.
Personal safety tips
There are a few things you can do to help reduce the risk of it happening. Here are some ideas.
- Set your home number on speed dial on your 'phone.
- Set up your 'phone so it can only be unlocked with a pin number.
- Get your 'phones, iPods and expensive items marked. Put your house number and postcode on them with an 'invisible' security pen.
- Carry a personal alarm.
- Avoid dark or lonely short cuts.
- Stay in groups.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Think about safe places to walk like well-lit areas and shops.
- Look out for each other.
- When you are out and about, try to look confident.
- Trust your instincts - if you feel unsafe, get away.
- Before you go out, tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
- Keep expensive possessions hidden.
- Don't listen to music when you're out and about (or use only one headphone so you are can still hear what's going on around you).
- Learn self-defence.
- Never accept lifts from strangers or someone you don't know very well.
Want to know more? There are some tips on offer at the Millys Fund website. The Suzy Lamplugh website also has loads of useful factsheets.
Young victims of theft (10-17 year olds) had the following things stolen:
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