Safety when you are out and about

Going out with friends, meeting new people and getting around independently are part of growing up. A little planning makes them safer without making them less fun.

Before you go

• Tell someone where you are going, who you are with and what time you plan to be home (West Sussex County Council).
• Plan how you will get home before you leave, including whether you can travel with a friend (Avon and Somerset Police).
• Charge your phone and carry a small power bank, plus a little cash or a card kept separate from your main wallet so you can still get home if you lose one.
• Share your live location with a trusted contact for the evening. Most phones let you do this for a set time, such as until the end of the day.
• Agree a check-in time with your family, and a code word that means 'come and get me, no questions now'.

While you are out

• Stay with your group. Agree in advance that nobody leaves alone and nobody is left behind.
• Look out for your friends. If one of them seems unwell or unusually affected, get help from staff or call 998.
• Keep your drink with you and do not accept drinks from people you do not know. Spiking can happen with soft drinks too. Report suspected spiking to the police (Avon and Somerset Police).
• Keep your bag close and never leave it hanging on a chair or out of sight.
• If you feel unsafe, speak to venue staff, mall security or a police officer.

Meeting someone you met online

• It is hard to know whether someone really is who they say they are online (West Sussex County Council).
• If you are under 18, talk to a parent or trusted adult before meeting anyone you have only met online, and ideally take them or a group of friends with you.
• Choose a public place with lots of people around and meet during daylight hours (Victoria Police).
• Share your location with friends or family and tell them who you are meeting and when you will check in.
• Arrange your own way there and back, and do not share your home address, school or other personal details beforehand.
• If the person is not who you expected, or anything feels wrong, leave. You owe them nothing.

Getting home safely

• Travel with others where possible, and stay in bright, well-lit areas (West Sussex County Council).
• On buses and the metro, wait in a well-lit place near other people and sit near the driver or other passengers (Avon and Somerset Police).
• Never hitchhike or accept lifts from people you do not know.
• Ride-hailing and taxis are covered in their own lesson. In short: use licensed services, check the plate and driver match the app before you get in, and share your trip with someone.
• Message your contact when you are home safely. It closes the loop and means someone notices if you do not arrive.