Violence and street crime

Violence can be verbal as well as physical. It is often committed by someone the victim knows (see Domestic Violence), but it is increasingly committed by strangers, as muggings and robberies become more widespread on our streets. Violent assaults can also be committed for reasons of racial, sexual or other discrimination.

Street crime can mean robberies and thefts of items on the victim's person, including pick pocketing. It also refers to those incidences where intimidation or violence is used to obtain items from people without their consent. Unfortunately, incidences of street crime are particularly high.

Violence and street crime can shatter your sense of safety, changing your outlook in an instant. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, upset and fearful, and people often become mistrustful of those that remind them of their attacker. Anger, loss of confidence, guilt and sadness or depression are also common emotions. These reactions can last longer than you might expect, but they normally fade with time. Sometimes changes, such as moving out of an area, are necessary to help develop a sense of safety.

The physical effects of violent assaults can be short-lived, and their gradual disappearance can aid emotional healing. However, for many there is a need to come to terms with long term or permanent physical effects, like disability or scarring.

Victim Support can provide help and understanding to all those who have experienced violence and street crime, be it a one-off event or an ongoing situation, with minor or long-term physical consequences. If violence or street crime effects you or someone you know, find out more about what we can do to help or just contact us.

Facts about violent assault and street crime

Young men between the ages of 18 and 24 are most vulnerable to assault, but children and young people under the age of 18 are increasingly at risk.

People get assaulted while walking, jogging or cycling, while looking for keys at their own front doors, on buses, in shops, in fact, in any public space. The key danger factors are being alone and being out of close proximity to other people.

Common street crimes include:

bag and wallet snatches - sometimes bags or their straps are sliced with a knife to release the contents, but more often they are not closed properly or wallets are visible and therefore vulnerable.
Try to carry your handbag under your arm, closed, with the zip or opening to the front. Wallets and other items are more difficult to steal if they are kept underneath clothing.
Mobile phone snatches - while talking on your phone you are very vulnerable since you are not so aware of what is happening around you.

Try not to use your phone on the street. If someone asks you for your phone the best way to avoid getting hurt is to give it to them, then cancel your phone and report the incident to the police.

Ways to minimise the risk

The risk of being assaulted or robbed on the street is actually quite low, but it is impossible to eliminate that risk altogether. Many victims could not have foreseen or avoided the circumstances that led to their attack, but there are some ways to reduce the risk of being targeted:

Try to keep to main roads and to avoid walking alone in darkness, especially if you have been drinking or are wearing shoes you find it difficult to walk (or run) in.
Try to avoid situations where you are isolated in a public place.
Use black cabs or minicab companies that you trust, and never accept a lift from anyone offering to pick you up on the street.
If you think you are being followed, cross the road if you can and see if they follow. Try to find a shop or other crowded area, or tell another passer-by of your fears and ask them to remain talking to you until you think the danger has subsided or you can get to somewhere safe.

What you should do if you are attacked by a stranger

If someone is threatening or assaulting you, it is very important to try to notice some of their identifying features, such as clothing, ethnic appearance, noticeable scars, tattoos, piercings or jewellery, height and build, approximate age and perhaps the accent of your attacker. The police will ask you for this information afterwards, and they will have little to go on if you have been unable to register many physical features.

Look for witnesses to your assault and ask them for their name and contact details. Their evidence might be vital for finding and charging your attacker.

Call the police as soon as possible after the incident and tell them as much as you can about what happened.They can visit you at your home to take your statement.

If you have injuries, the police will call an ambulance. Paramedics will be able to assess and treat your injuries and they will take you to hospital if you need to go.

Speak to someone who can give you support as soon as possible after the incident. If you are not able to talk to someone you know, remember that Victim Support is there to help you.

Don't blame yourself for what happened and remember that it was not your fault. Nobody deserves to be assaulted or robbed.

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