Commissioner’s foreword

The Royal recognizes that crime prevention can only be achieved with the assistance and co-operation of all our citizens. This booklet has been compiled by the Crime Prevention and Reduction Unit as a guide to citizens to help combat and reduce crime.

There is vast array of sophisticated and effective security systems to protect you and your property. You will find some ideas within this booklet that you may wish to discuss further with our Crime Prevention and Reduction Unit.

There are also simple crime prevention steps you can take to help us and minimize risks for you and your families. This is the aim of this informative booklet. It is good practical reading for all of us. By working together we can achieve so much more and therefore hope this booklet will show how people can make a difference in the fight against crime.

Finally, I commend Police Sergeant John Goodman and Police Anthony Debono for producing this booklet.

Louis Wink CPM Dip Crim (Cambs) Commissioner of Police

BE SAFE, BE SECURE

Practical Guide to Crime Prevention in Gibraltar This booklet tells you how you can help reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime. You can make yourself safer and protect your property following these simple guidelines. Most crime committed is against property. Help us to maintain Gibraltar a safe place to live in. Raising awareness is a pro-active approach of sharing information to better inform the public of the steps to take if confronted with a situation or incident. Your residence Securing your home and property will make you feel safer • The most vulnerable part of your residence is likely to be the front door. If the door is not secure, neither is your home. Make sure you have a secure front door. • When you go out, always lock the door and close the windows (especially on ground floor) even if you are just going out for a short time. • Don’t leave spare keys inside the letterbox or flowerpot or anywhere else. • Keep valuables out of sight. • Never ‘buzz’ open the door to strangers - always ask them to show you identity if you do not know them. • Do not advertise that you will be away on holiday. Get a friend or neighbour to look after your residence whilst you are away and collect your mail. Be prepared to do the same for them. • Visible intruder alarms and good lighting can deter burglars. • Fitting a ‘spy hole’ or ‘door viewer’ allows you to identify callers before you open the door. • Take photographs of all valuables like jewellery and take note of serial numbers of personal items such as computers or mobile phones in order to help police identify and recover your property if stolen. • Computers or laptops are also attractive items so never leave them unattended or in view of others. • It is best not to challenge an intruder - call the police immediately • Report any suspicious behaviour in your area.

If you are burgled • Do not go in or call out as the intruder may still be inside • Call the police on Tel: 20072500. For emergencies call Tel: 199 Elderly people • Don’t keep large amounts of cash at home - use a bank account or post office instead • Look after your pension book • Fit a door chain or a spy hole For more information: Contact Gibraltar Citizens’ Advice Bureau Tel: 20040006 E-mail: [email protected]

Cars • Lock the doors and close the windows when you leave your car for any length of time • Don’t leave anything on display • Remove the sound system if you can. • Never store your vehicle’s documents in the car • Keep your car keys in a safe place.

Motorcycles • Use a security device such as U-locks or cable lock • Always place the steering lock on • Never leave the keys in the ignition - even for a short time when the vehicle is unattended. Always keep the keys with you • Whenever possible, avoid leaving your helmet or other possessions in the luggage space under the seat or carrier

Always lock up!

Your Neighbourhood Look after one another. Be a vigilant neighbour and report anything suspicious in your neighbourhood. All calls are dealt with in the strictest confidence. The following information will be useful to police when a suspect person is reported. ® Male/Female ® Age (approximate) ® Height ® Hair (e.g. long, short or colour) ® Complexion ® Clothes ® Build (e.g. slim, strong or medium) For more information on Roving Unit: Contact your Community Beat Officer: 20048502 / 20048533 / 20072500

Personal safety You can take some sensible precautions. • If someone tries to take something from you, it may be better to let them take it rather than to get into a confrontation and risk injury • When out walking or jogging, do not listen to a personal stereo through both headphones. Stay alert to your surroundings, especially traffic if you are jogging on the road or crossing a junction • Never leave someone who is very drunk on his or her own. If someone who is too drunk does not react and cannot wake up - get help - call for an ambulance on Tel: 190 - you could save a life Stay alert to your surroundings.

Thefts Cash Cash is extremely attractive to thieves so try and avoid carrying large amounts. Do not make it easy for pick pockets. Pick pocketing may occur in a busy area by the opportunistic thief. Carry your wallet or purse in the inside pocket (preferably one that can be fastened) not your back pocket or open bag. If someone bumps into you in a crowd make sure you still have your wallet or purse. Be cautious where you leave your coat, handbag, cheque book or credit card. If someone tries to take something from you by force, it may be best to give it to him or her. This will help you avoid getting injured.

Credit cards Keep your cards separate from your cheque books. Never keep your identification number (PIN) with your cash cards. Memorise the PIN and never disclose it, not even to bank staff or close friends. Sign your new issue card as soon as it arrives and destroy the old one when it expires. If your cards are stolen, call your bank or credit card company as soon as possible. Most banks put the number to call if your cards are stolen on your bank statement. Mobile phones (an attractive item) If your phone is stolen, report it immediately to the police. Record your registration number (IMEI) and your phone number. Keep these in a safe place separate from your phone. You can get your IMEI number (15-digit serial number) by keying *#06# into most phones or by looking behind your phone battery. Keep your mobile phone out of sight, whether inside the car or in the street.

Domestic Violence Unfortunately, women are more likely to be at risk in the home than outside it. Men also experience violence at home, and the same advice applies to them. You do not deserve it. If someone is abusing you, there are people who can give you practical and emotional support.

Who can you talk to? Women-in-need - Tel: 20042581 Police - our priority is your safety and wellbeing. In the event that you require urgent police attendance call the emergency line 199

If you are experiencing domestic violence, you may feel like you have nowhere to go, or no one to turn to. This is not true. There are a lot of people who can help you • You may report your partner to the police, and try to have them kept away from you, your children or your house • You may decide to leave the house and go to a friend or relative’s house • If you decide to leave, try to take things like passports or other identification, your children’s birth certificates, and bank and benefit details Domestic violence is a crime.

Young people • In law, when a child is 8 years old, s/he can be convicted at court for an offence • When in police custody, persons aged 17+ will be treated as an adult • Alcoholic drinks or tobacco cannot be sold to persons under 16 years of age • It is an offence to sell alcohol and tobacco to any person under 16 years of age • If a person gives a false name and address to a police officer who suspects that person of committing an offence, that person may be arrested • The penalty for being a passenger who knows/believes that it is a stolen motor vehicle is the same penalty as it is for the person who steals it • The maximum penalty for keeping/hiding stolen property is greater than for the original theft • A criminal record may prevent someone from getting the job they want in the future • A person can be sentenced to life imprisonment for unlawfully supplying certain controlled drugs. Money does not have to exchange from hand to hand. • A person giving drugs to another is guilty of an offence. • No person under 17 years of age can drive any motor vehicle on a road • To accompany a learner driver a person must be 21+ years and must have held a full driving licence for at least 3 years • Drinking alcohol impairs a person’s ability to drive. There is no ‘safe’ limit

Children Let them know the following for their safety. • To say no. Tell your children that it's all right to say ‘no’ if someone tries to hurt them. A lot of children are told to always do what grown-ups tell them • To get help against bullies. Bullies pick on younger, more vulnerable children. Tell children to get friends to help them, and to say no without fighting. Make sure they tell a grown-up. Tell them to give up something a bully wants, such as a bike, if they are going to get hurt. Tell them that you will not be angry if they come home without it • To tell. Tell your children that they must always tell you what has happened and that you will not be angry with them • To be believed. If your child wants your help, they need to know they will be believed and supported. This is especially true in the case of sexual assault, as children rarely lie about it • Try not to have secrets. Child molesters often say to a child that a kiss or a touch is 'their secret'. Tell your children that some secrets should never be kept away from parents, even if they said they wouldn't tell anyone else. • To refuse touches. Tell your children they can say no to touching or kissing if they don't like it. If some one touches them and tells them to keep it a secret, they must tell you. Never force your child to hug or kiss anyone • Try not to talk to strangers. Most well-meaning adults will not approach a child who is on their own, unless the child is obviously lost or distressed. Tell your children never to talk to strangers, and to ignore any approach from a stranger. Get them to tell you if a stranger tries to talk to them. Never go with strangers without first telling Mum and Dad • To break rules. Tell your children that they can break rules to stay safe. They can run away, scream, lie or kick to get away from danger

Tell your children that they can break rules to stay safe.

The Internet The Internet is very much a part of our lives these days, and provides a useful educational tool for adults and children. The Internet is a computer based network which is bringing vast educational, research and communication capability into classrooms, workplace and homes. Most of the material there is fine, but some may be rude or even insulting for both adults and children. Before you connect to the Internet find out what protective software can be installed in your computer in order to avoid unwanted material.

There is adult material on the Internet that is not suitable for children. The Internet Support Desk from may be able to advise you on programs and equipment that you may install on your computer to prevent children accessing unsuitable material.

When they use chat rooms, encourage your children to: • Never give out personal information or their e-mail address; • Arrange to meet someone in the chat room if they get on well with them, rather than contacting them direct; and • Use a ‘moderated’ chat room where someone ‘referees’ - this protects them from abusive people.

If they become so friendly with someone they chat to on-line that they want to meet in person, you should go with them. Arrange to meet in a public place where there are lots of people around. Children and teenagers should never arrange to meet anyone they have met on-line without a responsible adult being with them.

For more information: Gibtelecom Internet Support Desk - Tel: 192 Drugs Talk to your children about drugs from an early age. It is important that they know they can be honest with you. Drugs can lead to other crimes too, like stealing to pay for drugs. However, not all drugs have the same effects and they fall into several categories : TYPE OF DRUG Maximum Penalty for Maximum Penalty for Possession Supply

Class A 7 Years Life Heroin/Cocaine

Class B 7 Years 14 Years amphetamine/cannabis

Class C 2 Years 5 Years

People take drugs for many different reasons. Most experimentation takes place during the teenage years. Most young persons’ experience of drug use is more than likely to take place within groups of friends. For a minority this could develop into a problem later on in life and they might need specialist help to deal with addiction.

We often speak of drugs as ‘Hard’ or ‘Soft Drugs’. Hard Drugs are those that are seen to be more dangerous, addictive or can cause death by overdose, such as heroin or cocaine. Soft Drugs are often thought of as less problematic, although the harm they cause can be as destructive as harder drugs over a longer period of time like cannabis. The law recognises this by classifying them according to the harm they are known to cause both to individuals and society in general. There is a clear difference between the possession and the supply of a controlled drug. For many parents, finding out that their child is using drugs will be the cause of anxiety and concern. Possible signs of drug use can include unexplained changes in behaviour such as : • Changes in appearance • Changes in eating and sleeping habits • Different friends • Moodiness • Different interests • Spending too much money For more information: Phone Anti-Drug Coordinator - Tel: 20043392 Drugs Info website: levmagazine@com An emergency If you suspect someone has taken an overdose, if they are unconscious or vomiting, stay calm and phone 190 for an ambulance. • Put them in the recovery position if they are unconscious (lie them on one side with a support behind them, bring their knees forward and point their head downward). • Make sure there is good ventilation in the room, and that there are no obstructions in their mouth. • Speak calmly and reassure them, telling them that help is on the way. • When the ambulance arrives, tell them what has happened and if you know tell them what drugs they have taken. • Neither you nor the person who has overdosed will get in trouble for telling them this.

Useful contact numbers

Police Emergency: 199 International Emergency: 112 Ambulance: 190 Police Control Room: 20072500 Crime Prevention & Reduction Unit: 20048039 / 20048041 Social Services Agency: 20078528 / 20075729 Bruce’s Farm Rehabilitation Centre: 20048444 Women In Need: 20042581 Gibtelecom Internet Support Desk: 192 Mental Welfare Service: 20071386 Social Services Agency: 20078528 Drugs Advisory Service: 20045942 Alcoholics Anonymous: 20073774 Narcotics Anonymous: 54000548 Families Anonymous: 20070047 Anti-Drug Coordinator: 20043392