The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

euronorris

newlywed said:

It can be isolated incidents but always good to be aware of what’s possible, like some years ago there were warnings not to have your handbag on the passenger seat with windows open as there were some being stolen at traffic lights…. I always put it in the passenger footwell so it’s not on show. You don’t hear that being a big thing anymore though.


in our local paper someone has just been done for several counts of indecent exposure in an area I walk alone in every couple of weeks…. I say alone, there’s always dog walkers about on the route, not many trees  or places to hide, and I go in full daylight…. I never had any problem but knowing this will make me a bit more aware when I’m out and about.

I witnessed a smash and grab from someone's car once and it was so fast! I was on my break, reading a book outside my work, woman pulled up in space on opposite side of road. Got out, went into salon. Within seconds, a lad cycled up, smashed window, grabbed bag and cycled off. I was up and shouting, but he was already away. Gave a description to the police, but this was about 18 years ago now, so whilst CCTV was around, it was nowhere near as good, or as prevalent as it is now. So I always keep my bag in the footwell. Most thefts like that are opportunistic. So no bag on show, you're an unlikely target. Just off Kings Road in London as well, so thieves are everywhere.

I also always hold onto my bag with one of my hands when walking around. Had a guy knock mine off my shoulder once, by bumping into me. And as I went down to grab it, so did his mate (who was right behind him). I managed to wrestle it off him luckily, and was in a group who started shouting. They did this in full view of the police who were less than 20 metres away, who quickly took chase after them. Not sure what happened from there. It was London (again), I was 18 and on a night out, so I just carried on my merry way. But I've always held my bag tightly since then.

Still, I'd much rather lose a handbag than something worse happening to me. Especially when it feels like I really don't know who to trust when out anymore. Sigh.

newlywed

Yes I live in a city and always hang onto my bag, never have my purse or phone in a bag without a zip either.  And when I sit on a bench, one arm is always looped round my bag handle… or my ankle if the bag is on the floor.  Like you say most are opportunists, so hopefully the won’t pick someone who is aware. 

Sorry you had to struggle to keep hold of your bag…. Haven’t had that so far.

where we live, we leave nothing at all on show in the car, not even a 50p… and many years back, I did get my car broken into for a 50p on show (and having uk number plates so they might have thought I had more money apparently) in southern Ireland.  Cost me a day of my holiday to sort out a broken window because of a drunk. Ah well. You live and learn!

MrsCD

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust has information to help keep us safe in different situations.
https://www.suzylamplugh.org/Pages/Category/personal-safety-advice

daz378

Over the years my prepping  as ebbed and flowed....these days my default setting is active....got loads of tins of curry  stewed steak etc  and i do eat these any way   always have beetroot or similar to spice up if needed.....after emerging relatively  unscathed from covid...i rang a local salford solicitor  to ask about making a will fairly simple  divided between my siblings and my nieces and nephews....not got a lot but saving up a nest egg  to augment  my works pension i hope to take at 60....never got back to me...must not need the work...will try again later in the week....you all take care

tboo

daz378 said:

i rang a local salford solicitor  to ask about making a will fairly simple  divided between my siblings and my nieces and nephews....not got a lot but saving up a nest egg  to augment  my works pension i hope to take at 60....never got back to me...must not need the work...will try again later in the week....you all take care

Not sure how old you are Daz (forgive me if you are a youngster) but this is in the MSE email

For 55 and over to get a solicitor-drafted (or updated) will for free – though it's hoped you'll leave something to charity.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/free-cheap-wills/#freewillsmonth

daz378

4 and half years to go....might not necessarily retire....but nice to know I can

pineapple

Just returning to safety and dicey moments, as a student I was walking along a wooded lane just off the main thoroughfare in Headingley, Leeds when a young man darted out from the bushes, asked me the time in broken english, pinched me on the boob and ran back into the bushes where he stood beckoning me! I was more taken aback than traumatised and never reported it, though I should have. Some months later when I finally dared walk there again, I warned a fellow passer by. 'Yes I've met him', she said. 'That's why I have him', she said gesturing towards her very large dog.

I wonder how many incidents go unreported?

euronorris

Millions I'm sure. I've had more than one guy grab at certain body parts back in my pubbing/clubbing days. Thankfully it stopped there. But I do remember one particular guy getting very aggressive when I pushed him away forcefully. Luckily his mates intervened and dragged him away. Bouncers, on that occasion/at that place, could not have cared less sadly. I hope that has changed.

Thriftygifty

Pineapple how scary for you, I don't think I could have ever gone back there.

Euronorris I think your pub/club time would have been when mine was, it would be interesting to be a fly on the wall now to see if they are different, one club locally we use to call the meat market, it reminds me now of the club from Buffy the Vampire (I am showing my age) strangely I never felt unsafe back then, there were always huge crowds of people outside all of them and lots of police due to various fights etc now it is like a ghost town on a Saturday night and this is pre pandemic, my husband and I drove through the big town where the clubs are/were and it was so depressing.  I felt more unsafe walking in said town a few months ago first thing in the morning with the amount of homeless people everywhere I know that sounds very uneducated but I did. 

So in terms of safety prepping what would anyone suggest?    

euronorris

I was a big fan of buffy too, back in the day, so think we are roughly roughly same age. I didn't feel massively unsafe for the first few years, but I think that was more naivety on my part. I am much more aware now. But there was an incident that changed all that where a 21 year old girl disappeared after getting a 'cab' home from one of the clubs we used to go to in Croydon. I think her name was Danielle. She was later found dead. We all became much more aware at that point when we realised it could have been any one of us. And a few years later I ended up working with a girl who had previously worked in a pub with the guy who did it. She had frequently accepted a lift home from him after her shift 'to be safe'. That really messes with your head a bit.

Usual safety tips I can think of are always go out in groups, let other know where you are going and when to expect you back. If you can, arrange a lift there and pickup later from family or a trusted friend. If one of you gets too drunk, it's time to leave and make sure that one gets home safely. Always cover your drink, never leave it unattended. Watch out for signs in your friends that they may have been spiked. I think you can now get these hairbands that zip open and can stretch over your glass, leaving only a small gap for a straw to fit through. there are also apps you can use. I think some are listed on the Suzy Lampugh website. Never walk home alone in the dark. Don't get in a car unless you are certain it is a licensed taxi and/or you have ordered it (I think most will text you the make, colour and license plate now).

I wish we didn't have to do all this.