{"id":1173,"date":"2017-06-22T08:47:42","date_gmt":"2017-06-22T07:47:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betravelwise.com\/?p=1173"},"modified":"2017-06-22T08:58:20","modified_gmt":"2017-06-22T07:58:20","slug":"scooter-crime-a-new-epidemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betravelwise.com\/?p=1173","title":{"rendered":"Scooter Crime, a new epidemic?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Last week the police in London released footage<\/a><\/span> of a woman being dragged down the street behind a scooter during a failed bag snatching attempt.\u00a0 In these days we can get lost in\u00a0news of large events and miss news about trends that are more likely to affect us.<\/p>\n

Luckily the woman was only \u2018battered and bruised\u2019 and not more seriously injured, however should she have let herself to be dragged down the street at all?\u00a0 This story\u00a0was originally going to be about how you might deal with a similar situation but on further reading relating to this case there seems to be a \u2018epidemic\u2019 of scooter crime which raises further questions about crime trends, situational awareness and knowing what to do in dangerous\u00a0situations.<\/p>\n

Police stats showed that in 2016 there were over 8000<\/a><\/span> crimes committed by persons on 2-wheeled transport (motorbikes, scooters and bicycles), up from 317 in 2011; that is a 1600% increase over 5 years.\u00a0 In the first 4 months of this year over 5,500 crimes have been reported, just under 50 per day.\u00a0 This is a huge number (and doesn’t\u00a0include unreported incidents) and something that anyone living in or visiting London should be aware of.<\/p>\n

Anyone walking down any street in any city, town or village and watching their fellow pedestrians will understand instantly how easy a crime this is to commit.\u00a0 Most people nowadays are nose-down in their phone screen, paying the scantest attention to what is going on around them, often with headphones in and therefore unable to hear what is going on.\u00a0 That phone that is in their hands is too easy to snatch and 2 wheeled transport means the perpetrators\u00a0 can flee the scene almost before the victim knows what has happened.\u00a0 Anything not securely fastened to you is at risk.<\/p>\n

When confronted by crime we advise that you minimise the risk of injury or worse to yourself, which in the case of a scooter theft means letting go of the item.\u00a0 Most bags that are snatched are only held over one arm which the thieves think will slip away easily, it is much rarer that they will attempt to grab a backpack secured over two shoulders or a bag with a strap over ones head as this will likely lead to the victim being dragged along unable to rid themselves of the item.<\/p>\n

So how can we better prepare ourselves?<\/h5>\n

Firstly, keep abreast of what crimes are occurring where you live\/work\/travel.\u00a0 The police frequently create timely campaigns to alert the public about crime trends and prevention, pay attention to these and read up travel advice (Government or other) about your destination if travelling.<\/p>\n

Secondly, consider carefully what you are carrying; do you need everything and are you carrying those items securely enough for their value\/worth?\u00a0 Do you have anything on display that may attract the attention of thieves; jewellery, watches or electronic items?\u00a0 If you look in the mirror and can\u2019t see anything easy to snatch the chances are that you unlikely to fall victim to this type of crime.<\/p>\n

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Thirdly, consider your situational awareness, this is being aware of your surroundings and possible threats lying therein.\u00a0 Whether travelling or at home we all do this to a greater or lesser degree, it isn\u2019t a black art, but is a skill we should all practise more.\u00a0 Resist the temptation to bury your head in your phone<\/a><\/span>, to have your earphones on when walking; instead keep your head up, observe and review the route ahead.\u00a0 Some things to consider:<\/p>\n