Keep safe and secure this Christmas

With the flurry of last-minute shopping as the days to Christmas tick down, and festive events and parties filling our calendars, Transport for London and the Metropolitcan Police have issued advice to help shoppers and revellers alike stay safe and avoid crime this December.

Busy tubes and buses can be home to opportunist thefts, and police note a spike in pickpocketing and handbag theft around this time of year. TfL advise passengers to keep bags closed and zipped, keep smartphones and mp3 players out of sight, and avoid leaving wallets and phones in a back pocket. Having your Oyster card or bus fare in your hand or a separate pocket will help to keep purses and wallets out of sight too. Find more advice at www.btp.police.uk/pickpockets

Haringey Safer Neighbourhoods Team is focussing on the dangers of using unbooked minicabs over the festive period, when people are likely to be enjoying nights out and less on their guard.

"Unbooked minicabs pose a serious risk to the travelling public and can

be a cover for some of the most serious crimes," says Inspiector Sonia Davis of Haringey SNT. "In addition, any minicab

that has not been booked is unregulated and uninsured for the purposes

of carrying passengers. Using illegal cabs is not worth the risk."

Other tips to Christmas shoppers include keeping purchases out of sight in your car when parked and parking in a well-lit location; and keeping presents out of sight at home to avoid tempting burglars. If you're out for the evening leave lights on a timer switch, and remember to register valuable gifts like bikes and phones online to immobilise any stolen gifts. See the Met's full festive menu of safety and theft prevention advice at this page.

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