| It is part of our world today that we have to live | | | | away from the doorways. If you are going to |
| with low level crime and petty thievery. Normally | | | | wander off looking at books make sure any thief |
| we don’t have to think about this too much | | | | has a trip to get to an exit. |
| and most of us go through life without too many | | | | 2. In cafes and coffee shops sit facing the |
| negative experiences in this area. | | | | entrance so you have a good view of who come |
| More and more of us are using personal | | | | in and out and who might be looking for an easy |
| computers and gadgets in our daily lives – | | | | target. This doesn’t mean watching every |
| everything from laptops, net books, tablets, iPods, | | | | single person who comes in but you can bring into |
| Blackberries and so on. Our use of these | | | | play your peripheral vision and greater sense |
| machines is also becoming more public; we | | | | awareness than if you were staring at a wall with |
| connect in cafes, public spaces and we work in | | | | your back to the door. |
| the park and on benches. We have more of this | | | | 3. Invest in a security cable lock with a padlock or |
| equipment with us more of the time and if we | | | | combination lock. These cables which are usually |
| are not careful that can be very attractive to | | | | made out of flexible, hardened steel can be |
| thieves and criminals. | | | | wrapped around a table leg and locked into the |
| Anyone who uses a laptop or notebook to work | | | | security slot on your notebook or laptop. A |
| on the move or whilst out and about will always | | | | determined thief will get through this of course |
| be concerned with the security of that piece of | | | | but it would take a couple of minutes – and |
| equipment. It is just part of our reality that there | | | | that’s too risky. |
| are people out there who will take your stuff | | | | 4. Don’t have your wallet, phone and laptop all |
| when you are not expecting it! Most of us are | | | | out at the same time. You won’t know which |
| pretty good when it comes to using our instinct | | | | one to grab first and any of them can be pinched. |
| and taking the right precautions that we can, but | | | | Minimise your risk by stowing the goods. |
| often one silly mistake or bit of absent | | | | 5. When you are on the move from one place to |
| mindedness on our part can provide an gift for a | | | | another, don’t leave before you have |
| thief or an opportunistic criminal and bam, our | | | | properly packed everything away and zipped it. |
| computer is riding down the street – we're | | | | Having your arms full of stuff, your wallet in your |
| left stunned and upset. | | | | mouth and your phone in your hand whilst trying |
| So without becoming vigilantes or paranoid | | | | to text, means your attention isn’t on your |
| wrecks, how can we maximise the safety of our | | | | surroundings and the people close by - you are |
| machines and reduce the chances of becoming | | | | a good target. |
| victims of crime? Here are a few basic and | | | | It can be devastating to find you have lost |
| common sense rules to bear in mind when we | | | | valuable personal and business details and projects |
| are working outside of the office or our homes. | | | | but we can do something about it if we choose |
| 1. When you are sitting in a public place such as a | | | | to; we can use our awareness of the world |
| library, you can do yourself a big favour by sitting | | | | around us and keep thieves away. |