Crime Prevention Advice - Helpful hints to keep safe

Out and About - keeping yourself safe
  • When using a taxi or private hire vehicle. Carry their telephone number with you and book one in advance.
  • Listen to your instincts, If you dont feel safe, move to a busier area.
  • Look confident, know your route and avoid badly-lit streets.
  • Always tell someone where you are going and when you'll be back.
  • Carry your bag securely. Put the strap across your body and make sure the fasteners are facing you.
  • When you use a cash point, try to do so during daylight hours and where possible, use cash points located inside banks.
  • If you are using a bicycle, make sure that you park it in a safe location, locked with a secure lock.

    • Your Mobile Phone

    Make a note of your phones IMEI number. This is the phones unique identification number which cant be tampered with or changed. You can find your number by entering *#06#

    In addition, you should always lock the keypad on your phone with a PIN number.

    Dont be flash with your mobile phone. Be discreat and put it away as soon as you have finished using it.

    Using Public Transport

    Please make sure you:-

    • Know where you are going and which stop you need
    • Check departure times, especially of last buses or trains
    • If possible, wait for a bus or train in a well-lit place near other people.
    • On trains, avoid empty compartments and try to sit near other people.
    • On buses, try and sit near the driver if the bus is empty.
    Fire

    Deliberate fire setting is a crime and small rubbish or grass fires can easily spread.  If you see anyone maliciously lighting fires you should ring 999.  If you witness people lighting fires then please report this in safety to the Police on 326326.

    Fire causes death and injury and affects many people in the country every day. Most fires in the home start in the kitchen, if you don't have a smoke alarm, Cleveland Fire Brigade can carry out a free fire home safety check please call 01429 874063 for further details.

    Your Children

    Parents should ensure that their children travel to and from school safely by ensuring that children:

    • travel with friends
    • are alert and aware of everything that is happening around them especially when using mobile phones
    • have planned 'a safe route' that they know well; and
    • keep their valuables discreet, dont flash them about to minimise the risk of them being stolen. Especially mobile phones, ipods and Ipads.
    Your Car
    Vehicle crime remains low in Stockton, we have the lowest rate across the Tees Valley.  Many of our car parks within the Borough have been awarded the Safer Parking status and have CCTV installed that is monitored by the Council's Security Centre.  To keep this crime low please remember:
     
    • Always lock your car.
    • Always take your keys to bed with you.
    • Always keep valuables and keys out of view of windows and doors.
    • Dont leave your shopping visible in the car.
    • Park safely. When parking at home, use your garage or park in a well-lit area.
    • Use immobilisers and get an alarm fitted.
    • Use locking wheel nuts to secure your wheels.
    • Never leave Satellite Navigation Systems on display. Remove them from the car and wipe away sucker marks.

    Initiatives