Since OSCP was established, crime in Oxford has been falling.  Though you are less likely to become a victim of crime, it is still important to ensure you and your property are kept safe.

Below are links that provide useful tips on staying safe:

• On the street

• Children on the street

• Reducing car crime

• Cycle safe

• Taxis

• Public Transport

• Protecting your home

• Your neighbourhood

• Protecting your ipod, laptop or mobile phone

• Discrimination and racism

• Drugs and alcohol

On the street  

  It is important that you keep yourself and your belongings safe while outside

  Carry your bag close to you and make sure all clasps and zips are closed. Don't leave your bag unattended

  Cover up expensive jewellery

  Use cash point machines in daylight or well-lit areas

  If you often walk alone, get a personal alarm - and have it close to hand, in case you need to use it

  Be aware, walk with purpose and confidence and always make sure you know your route

  Cross the road if you think someone is following you

  If you still feel vulnerable, go to the nearest place where there are other people

  Don't hitch-hike or take lifts from strangers

  Avoid dark or unlit areas

  If you get lost in a public place, look for a Police Officer or go into a shop and ask the shop assistant

  If you are jogging, stick to well-lit roads with pavements

  When jogging in the park, keep to the main paths and open spaces where you can be seen

  If listening to your iPod, mp3 player or mobile, bear in mind that you can't hear traffic or somebody approaching you

  Avoid carrying large amounts of cash on you.

Children on the street

Follow these tips for staying safe, put together by children's charity the NSPCC

  Before going out, remember the three W's

   Always tell your parents WHERE you are going, WHO you will be with and WHEN you will be home

  Make sure you know your home address and telephone number off by heart

  Give your parents a phone number where you can be contacted

  Never talk to strangers and never take gifts from them, no matter how friendly they seem

  When it gets dark in the winter, make sure you wear bright clothing and if possible, reflective strips.

Reducing car crime 

  Always drive safely

  Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle

  Never leave your keys in the car and ensure all windows and doors are locked

  Park safely in busy, overlooked places.  Try to look for a public car park which is part of the police approved Safer Parking Scheme (new window)

  When parking, put the aerial down

  Invest in an immobilizer, alarm or tracking system

  Arrange to have your vehicle registration etched on to all glass surfaces

  When parking at home, always use your garage if you have one, and lock both your vehicle and your garage. If you don't have a garage, try to park in a well-lit, open place.

Cycle safe

  Wear a helmet that has a recognised safety standard.  The helmet must be a snug fit and should not obstruct your ability to see clearly or cover your ear

  Make sure you have fully functional cycle lights so you can cycle home in the dark

  Never leave your bicycle unlocked. Invest in a quality lock.  Hardened steel  D-shaped locks are recommended as the minimum standard

  Lock your bicycle in the designated cycle racks around the city 

  Security mark your bicycle.  To have this done free of charge, contact your local Crime Reduction Officer on 0845 8 505 505

  Take a photograph of your bicycle with you beside it and make a written record of its description, including any unique features.

Taxis

  Pre-book your taxis from a reputable company

  If you haven't pre-booked your taxi, use the hackney cab 

pick up points

  Avoid private hire cars that tout for business.

Public Transport

  Use well-lit bus stops

  Ensure you know what time the last bus or train is

  When on a train, sit in a compartment where there are several other people

  If you are going to an unfamiliar place, have someone meet you at your destination.

Protecting your home 

  Fit strong locks to your windows and doors

  Never leave your house unattended with windows open and doors unlocked, even if it is for "just a minute"

  Never leave your keys or valuables on display for the opportunist thief to spot

  Security mark your your valuables with a UV marker pen

  Light up your property whilst you're out.  Use low energy light bulbs and timer switches to activate lamps and radios

  Make sure you close your curtains at night

  Sheds and garages are full of expensive tools.  Get a decent padlock.  A burglar could use tools from your shed or garage to break into your house

  Beware of bogus callers.  Keep all doors LOCKED, STOP and think if you are expecting anyone, put the door CHAIN or BAR on first and CHECK the caller's ID.  Genuine callers such as Oxford City Council, Gas, Electricity and Water Companies will always be happy to make an appointment. (Don't forget that there is no such thing as 'The Water Board')

Your neighbourhood

  Join or start a Neighbourhood Watch scheme - they help prevent crime, phone (01865) 335133

  There are now street wardens in Blackbird Leys, Barton, Wood Farm, Marston, Rose Hill and Littlemore.  Police Community Support Officers are also being rolled out throughout the city and will all be in place by April 2008.  Both officers can assist in reporting crime and nuisance

  If you have noisy neighbours or being affected by anti-social behaviour in your area, contact CANAcT by phoning (01865) 252969,  who will be able to provide advice, and if required, take action if the problem is not resolved

  It is illegal to dump rubbish in the streets and alley ways.  You can be fined or prosecuted if found to be fly-tipping.  If you observe someone fly-tipping, contact Oxford City Council giving details of the person, vehicle and type of rubbish dumped

  Don't buy stolen goods.  You are contributing and possibly committing a crime by buying or handling stolen goods.

Protecting your ipod, laptop and mobile phone   

  Register your phone, iPod and laptop on the MEND (new window) for free

  Security mark your laptop, mobile and iPod with your post code and house number with a UV pen.  Email saferoxford@oxford.gov.uk to receive a free UV pen

  Note down your IMEI / serial number and keep it in a safe place. On your mobile, it can be viewed by pressing *#06#

  Limit access to your phone by using a security code or PIN number 

  Remember, the more distinctive the phone is, the more likely gets noticed.  Thieves can tell the best phones by their ringtones

  Never leave your laptop unattended, even for a few minutes, especially if it is near a window.

  When it is not being used, lock your laptop away and out of sight

  Back up all critical files frequently and routinely

  Consider insurance cover for your mobile, laptop and iPod.

Discrimination and racism

  It is illegal to discriminate against any person because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, colour, nationality, religion or disability

  Harassment includes assaults of any kind, written or verbal insults or threats, damage to your property and graffiti

  Tell someone you can trust about what is happening. Real friends who care about you will support you and listen to you if you are frightened or unhappy

  If you feel you have been a victim of hate crime, contact the police immediately remembering any details which will help with the investigation

  If you need advice, you can contact your school, college, local authorities or police

  Homophobic crime is any incident that the victim believes is motivated by the sexual orientation of the victim.  All incidents should be reported to the police

  HALT (Homophobic Awareness Liaison Team) encourage and support people to report homophobic incidents, so that crimes can be investigated and dealt with appropriately.  You can call HALT to report an incident on (01865) 243389 or write to HALT c/o Terrance Higgins Trust, 43 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1PB.

Drugs and alcohol 

  It is illegal to sell alcohol to a person under the age of 18

  Never leave your drink unattended, or accept drinks from strangers

  Alcohol and drugs can affect everyone differently.  Some people suffer a bad reaction to them.  It is important to know what to do if you or a friend becomes ill after drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs

  If you are worried about your friend's drinking or use of drugs, make it clear to them how you feel

  If you drink a lot of alcohol or use drugs, you could end up doing something you would not normally do; remember, it is safer to avoid alcohol and drugs 

  Talk to someone you trust about your drug or alcohol problem. Your doctor can help you understand what is happening to you and how to overcome your problem.