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AN Garda Siochana is running the Supporting Safer Communities National Campaign from June 2 to June 8.
Using the acronym PLANS, the key aim of this campaign will be to educate the public on how they can enhance their personal security and lessen their exposure to incidents of assaults, thefts and robberies by planning their night out.
Assaults, thefts and robberies are most likely to occur on weekend between 8pm and 5am.
• 25% of assaults occur in public places
• 35% of thefts and robberies occur on a street or road
• 60% of robberies involve the theft of mobile phone
• Almost 3 million Euro worth of mobile phones were stolen in 2015.
The following simple steps should be followed.
P- Plan your night out, how are you getting there and home
L- Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back
A- Avoid walking alone in dark places
N- Never attempt to reason with drunk or aggressive people
S- Streetwise be aware of your surrounds and your valuables
The Gardai are also advising people to;
• keep phone, purse, wallet hidden
• keep cash to a minimum
• be alert to pick pockets
• be alert at ATM machines-look for signs of tampering, cover your PIN entry, be alert to scams, do not attempt to remove any skimming device
• carry a fully charged mobile phone
• be aware when using mobile phone
• Dial *#06# and record your IMEI number. Your IMEI number is required if your phone is stolen by having the IMEI number recorded the benefits are that the phone can be blocked.
Gardai can identify owner and return property and would also enable a prosecution for example if phone was found in a person’s possession the IMEI number can be checked and it would show it had been reported stolen.
