Personal security is the set of habits and measures that keep you, your family and your belongings safe: at home, on the street, at work, online and when you travel. Most of it is simple, such as locking up, staying aware of who is around you and keeping your phone and plans private. Getting the balance right matters, because the aim is to stay out of harm’s way without letting security take over your life.
Looking out for number one is paramount. Feeling safe in your community is something we all want, and something we do not want to obsess over either. Good habits do most of the work, and personal security training can turn them into instinct for people who feel more exposed. So just what needs to be covered when thinking about personal security?
At Home
Keeping your home safe is the foundation of keeping yourself safe. Some measures apply while you are in, some while you are out, and some to both.
Whilst at Home
Lock front and back doors when you go out or go to bed. During the day you need not use every lock, but keep at least one on.- Lock garden gates, garage doors, sheds, outbuildings and patio doors too.
- Never hide a spare key outside, however convenient. Leave one with a trusted neighbour or friend instead.
- Use window locks, not just the catch.
- If you have a burglar alarm, check it and use it. If you do not, it is worth fitting one.
- Test smoke detectors and fire alarms regularly.
- Families with small children should rehearse what to do in an emergency, so everyone knows.
When You Leave Your Home
- Leave a light on, or use timers, to give the impression someone is in.
- Fit motion sensor lights, which startle and deter intruders.
- On holiday, ask a trusted neighbour to open and close curtains and clear the post.
- Keep valuables, keys and car keys out of sight from windows and doors.
- Unplug and turn off appliances that need not be left on.
Our guide to what residential security involves explains the next step for larger homes and families at higher risk.
On the Street
Walking alone, especially at night, is when most people feel most exposed. A few habits reduce the risk considerably:
- Avoid quiet back streets, alleys and secluded paths, and stay where it is lit and busy.
- Keep belongings close and zipped. Carry bags across the body, on the side away from the road.
- Stay alert: know where you are and who is around you, and keep headphones quiet enough to hear.
- Do not flash cash, jewellery or an expensive watch.
- Shield your PIN at cash machines and in shops.
- Keep your phone out of sight near the kerb, where thieves on bikes and mopeds work. Our guide to staying safe from phone snatchers in London covers this in detail.
- Plan how you will get home before you go out.
At Work
You should expect to feel safe at work, but assault and theft do happen in the workplace.
- Keep your belongings with you or locked away.
- Avoid staying late alone, and let someone know when you leave.
- Know who is in the building with you, and challenge or report people you do not recognise.
- Be careful what you share about colleagues, clients and plans with people outside.
Your Phone and Your Accounts
Your phone holds your contacts, your diary, your location and access to your money. Protecting it is now part of personal security.
- Use a strong passcode and turn on Find My iPhone or Find My Device, so you can lock or wipe the phone if it is lost.
- Turn on two-factor authentication for email, banking and social media.
- Check which apps and people can see your location, and switch off what you do not need.
- Think before posting where you are, where you live or when you are away. Post holiday photographs when you are home.
- Be wary of calls, texts and emails asking for codes or payments, even if they appear to come from your bank or someone you know.
Days Out With Children
Busy places such as fairs, festivals and theme parks are fun and easy places to become separated.
- Agree a meeting point as soon as you arrive, somewhere easy to find.
- Make sure children know your phone number, or carry it on a card or wristband.
- Dress younger children in something easy to spot in a crowd.
- Tell them who to go to if they are lost: staff, a police officer, or a parent with children.
- Take a photograph of them on the day, so you can show what they are wearing.
When the Risk Is Higher
You might think you are safe and nothing will happen to you, and for most people most of the time that is true. But wealth, a public profile or a business dispute changes the picture. People with money are the ideal targets for crime ranging from theft to the abduction of family members, and visitors to a business or important guests to a home can be targets too.
Drawing attention to yourself with too much visible security can be its own problem; it is like waving a flag that says there is something worth taking. The best protection is often the least visible, and it should be proportionate to the real risk:
- Journeys: a trained security chauffeur can take children to and from school and collect guests from the airport, and evasive and defensive driving courses prepare you for trouble on the road.
- People: discreet close protection can look after family members, including children, without drawing attention to them, so you know someone trustworthy is always there.
- The home: alarms, cameras, safe rooms and, for some families, a residential security team.
Good security is not there to react when something happens; it is there to stop it happening, and to protect you if it does. The more at risk you are, the more measures you should have in place.
FAQs
What is personal security?
Personal security is everything you do to keep yourself, your family and your belongings safe: locking up at home, staying aware on the street, keeping your phone and accounts protected, being careful what you share online, and planning journeys. For people at higher risk it can also include professional help, such as training, a security driver or a close protection officer.
Why is personal security important?
Most crime against people is opportunistic: a thief looks for an unlocked door, a phone held near the kerb or a bag left open. Simple habits remove those opportunities and make you a harder target than the next person. For people with wealth or a public profile the risk can be more deliberate, which is why their security needs to be planned rather than left to chance.
How can I improve my personal security quickly?
Start with what costs least: lock doors and windows every time, stop hiding a spare key outside, keep your phone out of sight in the street, turn on two-factor authentication and Find My Device, and post your location only after you have left. Then look at an alarm, lighting and how you travel home at night.
What is personal security training?
Personal security training teaches you to recognise risks early and respond calmly: being aware of your surroundings, avoiding situations before they develop, calming a volatile person, and knowing what to do if you are threatened or attacked. It suits people who feel at risk but do not want a permanent bodyguard, as well as families, staff and people about to travel.
What to Do Next
If you feel at risk, or want your family and staff to be more aware, talk to us about personal safety training for you and your family. If the risk is higher than habits alone can manage, find out how discreet protection works in our guide to close protection teams.