Firstly, at home:
Make sure your house or flat is secure, especially the outside doors. Fit barrel locks top and bottom, but keep keys easily to hand in case you need to get out quickly in the event of fire.

Change the locks if you think anyone outside you family might have a key and never give keys to workmen or tradesmen, since they can easily make copies.

Draw your curtains after dark and, if you think there is a prowler outside, dial 999.
If you wake up to hear an intruder at night, only you can decide what to do. You may want to lie quietly, in the hope that they will leave. Or you might want to switch on lights and make a lot of noise by moving about. Even if you’re alone, call out loudly to an imaginary companion – most burglars will flee empty-handed rather than risk a confrontation. Ring the police as soon possible - a telephone in your bedroom allows you to call immediately, without alerting the intruder.

Use only your surname and initials in the telephone directory and on the doorplate. That way a stranger won’t know if a man or a woman lives there. If you come home to find signs of a break-in, like a smashed window or open door - don’t go in. Go to a neighbour and call the police.

If you are selling your home, don’t offer to show people around on your own. Ask your estate agent to send a representative with anyone who wants to view your house.

On the telephone:
When answering the phone, say ‘hello’ rather than giving your number. If the caller claims to have a wrong number, ask him or her to repeat the number required. Don’t reveal information about yourself to a stranger and never say you are alone in the house.

If you get an abusive or threatening call, put the receiver down beside the phone and walk away. A few minutes later replace the receiver but don’t listen to see if the caller is still there. Don’t say anything – an emotional reaction is just what the caller wants. If the calls continue, tell the police and the operator and keep a record of the date, time and content of each call to help trace the caller.

On the streets:
If you often walk home after dark, get a personal attack alarm from a DIY store. Then make sure you carry it in your hand so you can use it immediately if necessary. Get one that will continue shrieking even if it’s dropped.
Always carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards, keeping house and car keys in your pocket. If someone grabs your bag, let it go because you could well get hurt if you try to save it. Remember that your safety is more important than your property.
If you think someone is following you, check by crossing the street – more than once if necessary – to see if he follows. If still worried, hurry to a pub or anywhere with a lot of lights and people and call the police.

If you regularly jog or cycle, try to vary your route and time. Stick to well-lit roads with pavements. In parks, keep to main paths and open spaces where you can see and be seen by other people – always avoid wooded areas. Don’t take short-cuts through dark alleys or across waste ground.

Walk facing the traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you unnoticed, and be aware that using a personal stereo means you can’t hear traffic or somebody approaching from behind. If a car stops and you are threatened, scream and shout, and set off your personal attack alarm if you have one. Get away as quickly as you can. Try to make a mental note of the number and description of the car and write them down as soon as possible afterwards.

Finally, and obviously, don’t hitch-hike or take lifts from strangers; and make a point of covering up expensive-looking jewellery.

Following simple precautions like these makes you much less likely to be a crime statistic.