Keeping safe while visiting Canal Street
Here's some advice and personal safety tips, and don't forget to talk to our Village Angels for more information.
+++ We've had reports of hugger muggers in the Canal Street area being called in to our helpline, these incidents have been reported to the Police - please be vigilant and stay safe! +++
Drinking
It’s important to know your limits. Drinking too much can impair your judgement on people and situations, so stay in control!
Make sure you have something to eat before you start drinking. Don’t drink on an empty stomach.
Try breaking up your evening with soft drinks or water between alcoholic beverages. Don’t binge drink! Pace yourself.
Keep your wits about you and trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem or feel right, it probably isn’t.
Stay with your mates and don’t wander the streets alone. If you get split up from your friends and can’t find them, tell one of the Village Angels. They’ll help you look!
Keep your eye on drinks to make sure nothing is added to them. If someone offers to buy you a drink, go to the bar with them so you can see if being poured.
Safety in numbers
Stick with your mates. Make sure you’ve got the contact details of at least a couple of people in your group.
Don’t go off with a stranger, even as a group.
Make sure you know how you’re getting home before you set off out. It’s a good idea to keep your taxi fair/bus fair separate to your spending money so you don’t accidentally spend it while you’re out.
Tell family or friends where you’re going and what time you’re expecting to be home.
Take a mobile phone with you. Having a cheaper, basic phone is a good idea for taking on a night out. Make sure it’s charged, there’s credit on and your friends contact details are in there, just in case you need to make any calls.
Strangers
- Don’t get into a car with a stranger.
- Don’t feel pressured into doing anything you don’t want to do, anything you know is wrong or dangerous.
- If you see any volatile situations, it’s better to stay out of the way. It’s pointless trying to reason with a drunken person. It’s best to leave it to the venue staff or the police.
- If one of your friends is a bit worse for wear, stay with them and look after them.
Valuables
Don’t flash the cash! You don’t know who might be watching. Also be aware if drawing cash out from a machine.
Keep your mobile phone and wallet out of sight and only take out the cash you need for that evening.
Don’t leave any bags unattended.
Try not to go over the top with flashy jewellery and watches.
Keep a note of you phone number, SIM card and serial number in a safe place. If you dial *#06# your phone will display it for you.
You can register the serial number of your phone, iPod or MP3 player at www.immobilise.com and police can instantly check the database and return your items if they turn up.
Walking home
You might know a great short cut, but if it’s dark and late at night, it’s better to stay to well lit areas and main roads. Don’t risk it.
Plan your route home carefully.
Try and look confident and in control while making your way home. Looking vague or lost could give off the wrong signals.
Stay with friends and try and carry out a personal attack alarm wherever possible.
If you suspect trouble, or think anyone else is in trouble, get to a safe place and call the police as soon as possible, Dial 999 in an emergency. If you think the issue is less urgent, you can call the Greater Manchester Police on 101.
Kindly made possible by the Community Action Against Crime Innovation Fund
Email info@lgf.org.uk if you have any questions about this initiative.