Stay Safe: Street Crime

The security situation in Egypt is less than desirable to say the least, we hear of kidnapping, carjacking and robbery day in day out, and it keeps hitting closer to home. So until we have a president in place who will, we really hope, re-instill security in our streets, we need to be as cautious and safe as we can — without it turning into an obsession, of course. A Lufthansa Manager in Latin America, Europe and Africa for 40 years, Michael Wurche has had more than his share of facing insecure streets through his work in high crime rate areas around Africa. Wurche has also been kidnapped in Bolivia for 11 days against a ransom of $1.5 million, which his company luckily paid and he was home safely. “That's why I am interested in helping people to avoid critical situations and to know how to react and behave if they happen,” says Wurche, who has retired and works a security consultant now. Teaching security seminars to members of the German Arab Chamber and their families, Wurche, who is now Middle East and North Africa representative of the Result Group for international business risk consulting, has complied a pool of useful information that can be used in critical situations. Having also been a victim of kidnapping himself, Wurche takes his work quite seriously — he knows what a small mistake can mean for one’s life. From his personal experience as well as compiled knowledge from security experts, Wurche shares with us a few tips that might get you home safely, or at least out of danger with the least harm possible. So follow us as every Thursday for Wurche series of safety tips to raise your awareness on carjacking, street crimes, car break-ins and other crimes that happen daily and that we know so little about. Street Crime: Street crime ranges from a simple snatch and run to weapon assaults. Even the simplest of street crimes can lead to serious injuries, if you hold on to your bag as a snatcher on a motorcycle grabs it, it might lead to a serious injury. But you can prevent being an easy target and educate yourself on how to behave should you fall victim to a street crime. General Prevention: Wurche explains there are hard and soft targets, a hard target is less likely to fall victim to a crime than a soft one. Although every situation requires different actions, there are general things you can do to prevent falling victim. Things like attitude, location, posture, how you carry your bag and even how you walk can make all the difference. -    Don’t send victim signals of insecure behavior that will encourage your attackers or portray vulnerability. -    Walk upright and fast with a sense of purpose, even if you have no particular place to go to — it intimidates your attacker. -    Avoid dark corners and streets as well as walking or taking short cuts in gardens and parks at night. -    Do not ask by-passers for directions if you have to, instead, ask a policeman, kiosk or a restaurant. Do not let anyone lead you to your destination — you will often get that offer in Egypt — just thank them and ask someone else. -    Keep some form of photographic ID at all times preferably with the blood type indicated -    Always walk on the sidewalk and not the street, even if you’re on a side street with very light traffic. It is much easier for an attacker in a vehicle to attack you if you’re on the street than it is if you’re on the sidewalk. -    If someone is walking behind you and they look suspicious cross to the other side of the street -    When in doubt, use whatever means necessary to draw attention to yourself. “It is better to suffer the embarrassment of being wrong than to fail to take action if you feel threatened,” says Wurche.   If you are travelling to a hotspot for street crime you should: -    Hold your business meetings in your hotel -    Dress down and avoid jewelry and expensive watches and bags -    Do not hold cameras that will immediately flag you as a tourist or not paying enough attention -    Restrict your travel to the safer sides of the city -    Keep a photocopy of your passport on you and leave your actual passport in the hotel’s safe deposit. -    Have sufficient money on you but not too much and no credit cards if you don’t need them. -    Keep your money and any important document in a bag under your clothes, such as small fenny packs or small bags you carry around your neck. Theft and pickpockets: Thieves and pickpockets mostly take advantage of distracted victims or those whose belongings aren’t always in their full sight. Simple measures can prevent theft of important documents or belongings and are easy to follow and make a habit. -    Avoid carrying a bag, but if you have to, carry your handbag always away from the street side and don’t sling the handles across your body or you might get hurt if someone snatches it. Snatching on motorcycles have become widespread and in most cases the attacker will manage to get the bag anyway but victims are often left suffering from serious injuries if they hold on to the bag or have it across their bodies. -    Keep your backpack in front of you in public transports, crowded areas or if you’re standing — even for just a few seconds to watch a window display, it might be just the time pickpockets need. -    Always watch for people brushing against you in crowds as it is a technique used by pickpockets, especially in airport and stations. -    Often thieves operate in teams, where one diverts your attention as the other steals your belongings. One scam is for someone to sprint dust on your jacket, point the mess and help you dust if off while his accomplice steals your belongings. -    Always put your documents, wallet and cellphone in a front pocket or under your clothes and not in a bag. Watch this space next week for our next article on ATM machines safety