Although this suggestion applies to all persons driving, report in some parts of the world show categories such as women, disabled person, people of certain colours or ethnicity, elderly persons etc; to be more vulnerable hence more at risk than others.

Of course, some crimes are targeted, planned by the perpetrators, most crimes are opportunistic, where the perpetrator wants to be able to have less resistance, less challenges, easy (ier) task and easier getaway with much reward. Any perpetrator of crime would most often than not weigh risk against reward before embarking on their act of crime.

Based on this, below are useful tips that you could adopt to not only make you feel safer; but also, to make you less vulnerable, less of a target i.e. easy prey by an opportunist.

• Ensure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times.

• If you can, avoid places that you are alone especially when it is dark.

• Have a panic button (siren) not only on you but also at your fingertip and be ready to activate this when in danger. There are several types of these devices. However, the general principle is that they are small devices that set off a loud noise when activated which “surprise or startles” an opportunistic thief, giving you that fraction of a second to gain an upper hand in getting away, overpowering him or her etc.     

• Avoid making phone calls whilst driving out at night, junctions, driving slowly etc- These attracts a perpetrator to you as your phone light is seen from a distance before you see the perpetrator- giving him or her a step ahead on you. This also distracts your attention from what is happening around you, making you an easier target as you have less time to react. 

• Try to install an anti-smash and grab film on the side windows of your vehicle. Although this has its disadvantages, this gives an added advantage and protection against smash & grab. Discretion should be used here. 

• Keep the interior of your vehicles clear of any valuables or items that look like valuable that can be seen by anyone outside of the vehicle.

• Avoid getting to the shopping place or places with a lot of people before placing your valuables in the boot of your vehicle. The perpetrator could be watching, noticing that you have a valuable, your actions and place where you have placed your item makes it easier for him or her to target you. Put valuables away before you leave home, office etc out of view of anyone that could have a sinister motive would help a great deal in making you less of a target.

• Do not put your handbag next to your seat – (front passenger seat). That is the first place that criminal go for and easier for them to access and get away easily from whilst you are at the driver’s seat. A good suggestion could be under your (driver’s seat). This does not only make your handbag less visible, but it is also much difficult to access.

• Always lock your vehicle doors as soon as you get in before driving away.

•  Always check that your vehicle doors are locked when you leave your vehicle. Physically check these by walking round your vehicle after engaging the lock and remember to always set the vehicle alarm if this is a separate system.

• If you get involved in an accident or have a breakdown and you are  parked at the side of the road, having people attend to you, ensure you keep an eye on your valuables. A perpetrator knows that you are distressed and distracted hence vulnerable at this point and might try to take advantage of this your weaker position and devoid you of your valuables, especially small items such as phone, purse, cash, card etc that you might not notice immediately until you are miles away and much later.

• If you are in a heavy traffic driving, try to avoid having windows wound down. A perpetrator could reach into your vehicle, grab a valuable and run off away, leaving you completely helpless.

• If you have an option of driving or walking on a busy high street and a quiet back street, a prudent option could be to opt for the busy street. Even if it is walking to where your vehicle is located. Always map a safe route for yourself, especially if you will be returning to your vehicles when it is dark.  

• Always zip up your handbags and have it in front of you if you are in a crowd.

• Being in pairs or in a group when out and about is always better that being on your own, as you can look out for one another, hence reducing everyone’s vulnerability. – Remember, this is how buffalos keep themselves safe from the prey - Lion.

• Do not speak openly about any financial engagement that you are in. People around could be listening, and you do not know the capability or desperation of anyone listening that could make you a targeted victim.

• Be mindful of anyone/vehicle following you or your vehicle. If not sure, go to a crowded place or the nearest police station.

• Be mindful of passing vehicles, tinted window vehicles, that have more than one occupier in it and the passengers are not wearing seat belts. Again, this is another tip that you need to apply discretion and common sense. Not all such vehicle displaying such are criminal. However, some of such appearance could mean that the group are searching for easier lone females for targets. The reason for the passenger not having seat belts could be that he or she is able to exit the vehicle quickly, grab a handbag of vulnerable female, get back into the already waiting vehicle and drive away.   

• ·Investing is self-defence classes/lessons is not a bad either. There are reports of where these have been very helpful. Again, discretion has to be applied here. This must be balanced against when to apply these lessons. 

Above is by no means a conclusive tip. A lot of discretion is to be applied depending on the situation that you are in. All above tips have been carefully selected to try and include as many general tips and be as versatile as possible to include areas of most concern and higher vulnerability.