Personal Safety Christmas message

The Community Safety Department Carmarthenshire Division of the Dyfed Powys Police and the Public Protection division of Carmarthenshire County Council, have put together the following advice in relation to Personal Safety during the festive season.

If going out to celebrate during the Christmas and New Year period with colleagues, friends or family make sure you stay safe and follow the below advice.

• Make sure someone always knows where you are.
• Stay safe and stay with your friends, don’t go off on your own.
• Be careful of party measures, they can be stronger than normal pub measures.
• Don’t accept drinks from strangers, make sure you see your drink being served and never leave your drink unattended.
• When going to the toilet leave your drink with a friend you can trust.
• If you suddenly start to feel unwell or unusually drunk, ask a friend to get you home, make sure it’s someone you really trust.
• Before going out make sure you have your friend’s mobile numbers.
• Make sure your mobile phone battery is charged and that your phone credit has been topped up.
• Don’t leave your mobile phone unattended.
• Have some spare money to get you home.
• Never walk home alone and keep to well-lit streets.
• Before going out plan how you are getting home – arrange a lift, get timetables for buses/trains or book a licensed taxi.
• When walking home, be aware what is around you, if you think you are being followed, cross to the other side of the road to see if they follow you.
• Don’t hang around make your way to the nearest safe place such as a shop or pub. Call someone you trust and get them to meet you, if you’re still worried call the Police. Dial 101 or if in an emergency dial 999.
• If going home in a taxi on your own sit in the back, if you feel uneasy, ask the driver to stop at a busy place you are familiar with.
• Never get into an unlicensed taxi touting for business.
• If you do not know the telephone number of a local taxi company use the ‘Cab Safe Scheme’ text the word ‘CAB’ to 83222 and you will be text with the telephone numbers of three taxi companies closest to your location.
• Have your house keys ready before you reach the door and carry them on you not in your bag. Searching for your keys means you are not looking at what is around you.

Inspector Eric Evans said: “The information is practical advice for those who wish to celebrate the festive season safely within Carmarthenshire.”

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “We want everyone to enjoy themselves safely over Christmas and the New Year.”