Commissioner’s foreword The Royal Gibraltar Police 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 Royal Gibraltar Police 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 Constable 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.