Muggers prowl the night streets everywhere (but some places more than others) and prey on the defenseless people with fat wallets. The best way to avoid being mugged is to not draw attention to yourself.
Step 1
Never carry too much for too long unless it is necessary.
Step 2
Walk with a sense of purpose . If you are wandering aimlessly or look lost you become a target.
Step 3
Act and dress like a local. Tourists are frequent targets of muggers.
Step 4
Carry a walking stick or a long, heavy item you can use in defense. Remember ANY weapon you have can be used against you if you are not extremely proficient in it's use. Backyard lighsabre training or tips from wikihow will not cut it. Unless you are trained in it's use you are endangering yourself.
Step 5
Carry a weapon, where permitted. Pepper spray, a 4 inch lockback pocketknife, or a pistol (9mm or 38 caliber minimum for stopping power) will give you confidence that muggers may sense and steer away from. This of course assumes you know how to use your weapon and are carrying it properly, so that it is unlikely to be used against you. If you do not have the correct licences or permissions you will be considered akin to a mugger by the police.
Step 6
Learn a martial art, at least the basics. In cases where weapons are not an option, you need to know you can defend yourself with your hands and feet (and head) if necessary. Your confidence radiates outwards and protects you from experienced people who can sense fear.
Step 7
While it's good to be prepared to defend yourself, remember that it's always preferable to run rather than fight, if possible. Muggers don't generally want to draw attention to themselves by chasing you, particularly in busy areas.
Step 8
When you sense danger, don't be afraid to act a little crazy. Walking down the middle of the street, and/or singing a song at the top of your lungs will make you a less attractive target. This contradicts the above advice of "not drawing attention to yourself", but when it seems that the attention is already there, it's time to act to discourage action.
Step 9
Determine the risk factor of you getting mugged or robbed. These are the things that let you outweigh your risk of being robbed.
- Clothes: Are you dressed like a rich person? Do you have fancy jewelery? Are you wearing a T-shirt and jeans or a suit?
- What you're carrying: Are your hands empty or are you carrying a briefcase, backpack, or suitcase?
- The area you are in: Is it an urban area with a lot of foot traffic, or a suburban neighborhood with few pedestrians?
- How long you will be traveling: The longer you are on the streets, the higher the odds of you passing by at least one thief.
Step 10
Walk in lighted areas in groups of two or more people.
Step 11
Don't look vulnerable! Don't look like an easy target! If you look like you're more than willing to 'defend' yourseft, nobody will target you...
Step 12
Don't walk home alone after dark - Take a taxi.
Step 13
Muggers sometimes will fake a car accident or problem on a highway or empty street and take advantage of your attempt to stop and help them. In most cases, calling 911 before approaching anything that looks like an emergency is the best idea; it assures qualified personnel will respond if it's a real emergency, and put's a potential attacker on notice that authorities are on the way. Always observe your surroundings and make sure you feel safe before approaching strangers to offer assistance, and announce to the individuals in "trouble" that you're calling 911 for assistance.
Tips
- You can put some valuables in your shoe or lining of your jacket.
- If someone asks the time, don't check your watch or mobile phone. Asking for the time is a classic trick used by muggers to distract victims and locate valuables. Looking down or putting a hand in a pocket leaves you vulnerable to punches and other attacks. You can check the time, but keep an eye on the person who asked you, reach for your pocket while looking eye-to-eye.
- Act casual when you walk, don't look anxious.
- Make a mugger's wallet, a handy wallet in the situation of being mugged. Muggers wallets are simply wallets with several fake credit cards, and a few bills of real money. If in the situation of being mugged, TOSS the wallet to the mugger. Tossing the wallet gives you a better route to escape.
- When walking on the sidewalk, prefer walking along the curb rather than along the building. This will make it more difficult for a thief to hide in a hidden alcove or alley and surprise you. It will also put you in a better position to run into the street to evade an attack.
- In many areas there are posters and warnings to beware of muggers. A habit first recognised in the London Underground is for muggers to stand near these signs and watch as people check their valuables to ensure they are safe. Now they know what you are worried about losing and they can decide to target you.
- A very common habit for travelers is to, when carrying large sums of money, split where it is kept into 2 or 3 different places. Especially to seperate them into different clothing/luggage items. Lose one bag, have your coat lifted and you still have the emergency cash in your shoe. Also once you hand over the wallet the mugger will assume he has everything.
Warnings
- There is no surefire way to prevent theft, but the more you know, the safer you might be.
- Dont Chase a mugger for your stuff back as it is a very risky thing to do
