The UK has enjoyed a steady reduction in crime figures since they reached a peak in the mid 1990s. Fortunately in 2010 you are less likely to be a victim of crime than at any point since the early 1980s.

Unfortunately this is not the way that crime is portrayed in the British media, if you read the newspapers while you are in the UK you are likely to feel that Britain is a much more dangerous place than it actually is.

So while you are here please don’t allow the fear of crime to lessen your enjoyment of the UK, because as long as you use your common sense then you really should not have any problems during your stay.

Keeping safe is a very straightforward business; you just need to take the same basic precautions that you would anywhere else. However, the chances are that if you are coming here to learn English you are probably going to be in staying in one of the UK’s major cities and, like cities all over the world, you need to pay attention to your environment and stick to some basic safety rules.

Night Time

Once again common sense rules apply. Drinking alcohol in large quantities impairs your judgment and makes you more likely to make bad decisions, so the obvious rule here is drink responsibly.

Planning your journey home at the start of the night is a sensible step to take as this will prevent you from wondering around central areas looking lost late at night. If you do this you might be approached by an un-licensed mini-cab driver who offers you a lift home. Don’t do it! (Refer to our taxi section here) Only use licensed taxis and mini-cabs, or make use of the busy night bus systems by working out which ones to take before you start drinking.

You should avoid leaving your drink unattended, particularly if you are female, as this will make it easy for someone to put something in it. If you are drinking and start to feel excessively drunk after just a few drinks then seek out the pub or club management or security and tell them what has happened, they will look after you.

Day Time

You are very unlikely to be a victim of crime in the day, however if you wonder around tourist areas with your handbag hanging open and you purse, MP3 player and mobile phone on show you are inviting attention from thieves, so keep it out of sight.

The same applies to your car, leave a briefcase or bag on show when you leave it parked you will only have yourself to blame of it gets stolen, again: keep it out of sight.

Protect your identity

Unfortunately, one area of crime that is on the increase around the world is identity theft. The best way to protect yourself from this is to make sure that you thoroughly destroy any bills or official documents before putting them in your dustbin, as this is where the identity thieves like to look for information.

But once again, remember that the vast majority of people in the UK will pass their entire lives without ever becoming a victim of crime, so please do not worry about coming here tom live, study or travel. Just remember that thieves look for easy targets, so just follow the simple steps above and you will have a safe and enjoyable stay here.
 

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USEFUL WORDS

At Home

Lock doors and windows
Draw / close your curtains at night

Out & About

Carry a personal attack alarm
Vary your jogging route
Keep to main roads
Don’t take / avoid short cuts
Walk facing the traffic
Don’t hitchhike or accept lifts from strangers
Cover up expensive-looking jewellery
Don’t use mobile phones / cameras / ipods in public places
Have your key ready when you go back to your car
Take a friend with you when going to view accommodation

Taxis

Always sit behind the driver in the back of the car
Ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside your house
Never travel in an unlicensed minicab or taxi

Trains

Sit in a compartment where there are several other people
Check to see where the emergency alarm is

Buses

Sit near the driver
Avoid getting off the bus at isolated stops

GRAMMAR SPOT

Imperatives

The imperative form of the verb is always the base form.  It is the same whether it is directed at one or several people:

Lock the windows before you leave please everyone!
Please keep to the main road Tom.

The subject of an imperative statement is you.  However, we do not say or write you in imperative statements:

Sit near the driver (NOT You sit near the driver)

The imperative form has a number of uses:
* giving directions & instructions (turn left at the traffic lights)
* giving orders or commands (don’t move!)
* making requests (please read this article)
* giving advice or making suggestions (see examples in Useful Words section above)
* giving warnings (be careful!)
* inviting someone (come to the gym with us tomorrow)