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Summer partygoers and end-of-year revellers have been warned that taking some basic personal and property safety precautions might be the difference between them having a great night out or one that is best forgotten.

Crime Stoppers South Australia chair, Ms Sharon Hanlon, said the festive season was a time when most people enjoy the opportunity to wind down with work colleagues, family and friends – but says a night on the town can bring the increased risk of becoming a victim of crime.

“We have seen plenty of examples where excess alcohol consumption leads to alcohol-fuelled violence, careless or reckless behaviour and risk taking, so one of the most important messages for people is to understand the need to be responsible for their own behaviour,” Ms Hanlon said.

“To help people enjoy a safe night out, Crime Stoppers SA has partnered with Police Credit Union to develop a campaign that encourages people to have heightened awareness as to potential dangers they may encounter when out, how to reduce the risk of harm, and the importance of being aware of their surroundings at all times.”

The personal safety campaign – which will be promoted using social media and through Crime Stoppers SA’s major media partner, Channel 9, will run over the Christmas and New Year period.

Some top personal safety tips for partygoers include:

• Let someone you trust know your plans to go out and when you are likely to return home
• Keep to well-lit and populated areas
• Stay with friends and look after each other
• Don’t hitchhike or accept a ride with a stranger
• Be aware of your surroundings and stay vigilant
• Avoid using earphones because they can drown out sounds around you and distract
• When meeting someone new for the first time, plan it for a public place
• Trust your instincts – if you feel unsafe then move and consider calling for help
• Have your mobile phone charged and handy
• Monitor your alcohol consumption, eat before and during partying, and consider having soft drink or water between drinks
• If you are driving then don’t drink, nominate a designated driver or have safe transport arranged before going out
• Don’t take drinks from strangers, keep control of your drinks at all times and never leave them unattended

To best protect your person property:

• Don’t carry large amounts of money and don’t show how much money you have
• If you go to an ATM, pick one that is well-lit, protect your PIN, and be careful of people standing too close.
• Ensure you remove any receipts, and place your money safely away before walking away from the ATM.
• If you lose your card, report it immediately
• Keep your bag, wallet/purse and mobile phone where you can see them at all times – don’t leave them unattended
• Always keep a bag closed and secure
• Carry your bag securely and never let the strap hang loose. Shoulder straps should be worn across the body.
• Don’t leave your bag unattended in a shopping trolley or pram, and make it the first thing to be put into the car when unloading or loading shopping items

“As a reminder to people, a number of these handy tips will be shared on the Crime Stoppers SA Facebook page, and we encourage people to play an active role in this campaign by liking and sharing the tips, and thinking about how they might use them in their own circumstances,” Ms Hanlon said.

“Ultimately, Crime Stoppers SA wants people to enjoy a safe Christmas and a Happy New Year, and our latest campaign has been designed to encourage people to have a good time with some safety tips in the back of their mind.”

If anyone has information about a crime or criminal activity, then they can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, go to crimestopperssa.com.au or download the FREE Report Suspicious Behaviour App. People can remain anonymous and rewards are available.

Crime Stoppers South Australia has joined forces with Police Credit Union to launch a campaign to encourage people living, working and visiting South Australia to be extra vigilant and on the lookout for firebugs this summer.

As the state heads into predictions of a long and dry summer, with significant fuel loadings in several parts of SA, Crime Stoppers South Australia chair, Ms Sharon Hanlon, said the campaign helped people to understand the types of suspicious behaviour to report.

“The Fire Danger Season can be an anxious time for many, and an arsonist may be practicing in your area. Bushfires can have a catastrophic effect on the community, so if anyone has information on arsonists then they are urged to report it – anonymously if they choose – to Crime Stoppers South Australia,” Ms Hanlon said.

“Arsonists are known to often ignite small fires, practicing their methods before escalating to larger and potentially more devastating bushfires. What may appear to be an insignificant fire may demonstrate an arsonist’s pattern of crime. If this behaviour is left undetected, the arsonist may continue lighting fires, which could lead to devastating results,” she said.

“It is important to pay attention to what is going on around you during the Fire Danger Season, and every time you’re out for a hike, run, drive or picnic, you are encouraged to keep watch for suspicious arson activity.”

What to look out for:

• People acting unusually, or wearing unusual clothing — they just don’t seem to fit. For example, not dressed for a trail walk, looking nervous when you pass.
• If something or someone makes you stop and wonder what’s going on. Try and remember their age, sex, weight, height, hair colour or clothing.
• A vehicle or driver looks out of place; take note of registration number, make, model, colour and any distinguishing features (such as dents, stickers).
• Some arsonists practice with small fires before igniting a larger one, so if you see signs of burnt out spot fires or anything suspicious then it is important to report it.

“It is important for people to know which number to call and why. If someone sees suspicious behaviour currently happening then they should call Police on 131 444, if they see a fire burning then call 000 for fire services, and if they have information about someone who is deliberately lighting fires then they can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au ,” Ms Hanlon said.

People can remain anonymous and rewards are available.

About Crime Stoppers SA

Crime Stoppers began in South Australia in 1996 and since then has played a critical role in encouraging people to come forward with information that helps to solve crimes, and educate on topics such as property and personal safety, vehicle theft, and cyber safety.

The program encourages people to be alert and engaged participants in their community and provides a secure way for information about illegal activity and unsolved crimes to be reported to police through a toll-free hotline and a website that guarantees anonymity with the option of a reward. Crime Stoppers SA works with police, the media and the public to solve, reduce and prevent crime.

In the wake of recent tragic events around the world, many people may wonder what role they can play to help keep Australia safe from terrorism.

The nature of terrorism is changing. Even if you think it’s probably nothing, the smallest piece of information can be valuable.

If something doesn’t add up, speak up by calling the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.

Some things to look out for:

Online activities

Callers now provide information on the use of websites or social media promoting violent extremist ideology, suspicious travel planning, or someone they know who is becoming radicalised towards violent extremism.

Unusual filming or photography of official buildings or other critical infrastructure

Filming and photographing a target is one of the ways terrorists gather information. In 2001, a major terrorist plot in Singapore was averted when the filming of target buildings, including the Australian High Commission, were discovered by authorities.

Suspicious vehicles near significant buildings or in busy public places

Terrorists use vehicles for many different purposes, from surveillance to planting bombs, as in Bali in 2002. Vehicles may be parked for an unusually long time, sometimes in no-parking areas. Explosives can be heavy, so cars and vans may sit abnormally low on their suspension. They may be out of registration, or have false or missing number plates. Overseas, a terrorist attack was foiled after police became suspicious of a car with front and rear number plates that didn’t match.

Suspicious accommodation needs

The way terrorists use, rent and buy accommodation is often suspicious. In the UK, a rented garage was turned into a bomb factory. A member of the public reported strange comings and goings of men wearing gloves, which led to the arrest of terrorists who had already attacked Heathrow Airport three times.

Unusual purchases of large quantities of fertiliser, chemicals or explosives

Fertiliser is a widely available product that has been used in many terrorist bombs. In 1995 a bomb in Oklahoma City killed 168 people. One of the people involved was arrested following the discovery of a receipt for nearly a tonne of fertiliser that was used to make the bomb.

A lifestyle that doesn’t add up

While planning an attack, terrorists may lead lives that appear unusual or suspicious. Before the 11 September 2001 attacks, terrorists in the US undertook flight training but weren’t interested in learning how to take off or land. The leader of that group also paid cash for many large purchases such as the flight training, accommodation, vehicles and air tickets.

False or multiple identities

Terrorists frequently use stolen or fake documents, including passports and driver’s licences. They can also have several identities and may give conflicting details to those they come into contact with. Overseas, alert bank employees noticed a series of unusual transactions and identified an account that had been opened in a false name. They reported it to authorities, who uncovered links to a terrorist group.

Unattended bags

If you see an unattended package or bag in a public place, with no apparent reason for it being there, here’s what to do:

1. ask if anyone owns it
2. if no one does, don’t touch it
3. alert others to keep away.

If you have any information about terrorism then call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400, and if you have any information about criminals and criminal activity then call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For more than 20 years, Crime Stoppers SA, as an independent, not-for-profit program, has placed the highest importance on its ability to act as a secure and safe conduit of information between the South Australian public and police.

However, Crime Stoppers SA is concerned by a number of inaccurate media reports and a number of representations made to the Coroner in recent days that have suggested a failing of the Crime Stoppers process and raised questions about the program’s value.

Crime Stoppers wishes to reassure the public on a number of critical points.

One of the fundamental strengths of Crime Stoppers is the fact that it offers an opportunity for someone to share information about criminals or suspected criminal activity with a guarantee of anonymity. We know that some people who make contact often do so at their own peril, and may have laboured long and hard in weighing up their personal safety and the desire to do the right thing by sharing information that will bring criminals to justice.

It is our view that when someone chooses to share information, anonymously or otherwise, that information should be assessed on its respective merit. On those occasions when someone chooses to confidentially leave their details, every endeavour is taken to preserve their identity – and this is a commitment that Crime Stoppers will continue to honour.

Crime Stoppers SA is extremely disappointed at inaccurate criticisms and media reporting that have suggested the program has in some way failed – this is simply not the case. Each and every call and report submitted to Crime Stoppers is recorded and subsequently provided to police, and it is the responsibility of police to then act on this information as deemed appropriate.

As such, we wish to strongly reassure the community that the Crime Stoppers program has, at no time, faltered in its commitment to pass information it receives from the community to police.