Serious violence

Quick exit

The chances of you or someone you know becoming a victim of violent crime are low. Violent crimes by strangers in public places are still rare and account for a very small part of recorded crime.

What you can do to stay safe whilst out and about

You will be safest in bright, well lit and busy areas.
Try to look and act confident – look like you know where you are going and walk tall.
You might like to spread your valuables around your body. For example, keep your phone in your bag, your house keys in your trouser pocket and your money in your jacket.
If someone tries to take something from you, it may just be better to let them take it rather than to get into a confrontation and risk injury.
You can use reasonable force in self-defence. You are allowed to protect yourself with something you are carrying anyway (for example, keys or a can of deodorant), but you may not carry a weapon.
Shout ‘fire’ rather than ‘help’ – it can get more results.
If you use a wheelchair, keep your things beside you rather than at the back of the chair.
Plan how you and friends are going to get home.
Always use licensed taxis.
Look out for your mates and stick together.
When walking at night or when it’s dark stick to the main roads and try to avoid shortcuts and unlit areas.
Never drink and drive. Take turns with your mates on different nights out to be the designated driver; and remember the only safe amount of alcohol to drink when you are driving is none at all.
Don’t leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from a stranger.
Avoid confrontations, it takes more strength to walk away.

If you witness or are a victim of violent crime

If you witness or are a victim to a violent incident call the police. If the incident is taking place at that time, or the offender is still nearby then always call 999.

Violent crime is extremely traumatic for victims and witnesses, and undermines the feelings of safety within our communities.

Weapon crime

Some people mistakenly think that carrying a knife or a weapon may protect them. Unfortunately, this is often far from the truth. Carrying and then using a weapon shows you are intending to cause someone serious harm, and that comes with a long prison sentence.

One of the features of weapon crime is that they are often tools of the trade for serious organised crime gangs.

These criminal gangs are involved in multiple criminal activities, including child criminal exploitation, child sexual exploitation, financial fraud, drug dealing and modern slavery, with each crime feeding off the other.

If you carry a knife or weapon

And involved in stabbing another person and they die you could face a minimum of 10 years in prison.
And are part of a group or gang where a knife is used and someone is killed or injured joint enterprise applies. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t you use the knife, if you are with them you could also be prosecuted for the assault.
You are more likely to be injured.
You could be killed.
You could get up to five years in prison, even if the knife or weapon is not used.
You could hurt or injure others including innocent people.

Victim Support

Suzy Lamplugh Trust

Drink Aware – Staying safe while drinking

Knife Free

Ben Kinsella Trust – Knife crime information

Fearless – Knife crime

Crimestoppers – Reporting knife crime