Conference Over

The Venue. All to ourselves.

The weather was excellent allowing out door sessions.

And meals, although it was too hot on this day.

Over the next blogs the conference outcomes will be posted, one conference session. If you have anything to add or contest, please use the comment option at the bottom of each post. Ta.

Security on the Streets

(Contributions from, Alison, Mary, Maarten, Joe and David.)

The Bump.

The Targets

Mostly your pockets or to cut a bag strap.

Modus Operandi.

This can involve up to four individuals working together. First you know, you are being sandwiched between two guys. This distracts you and gets them in close. Favored places to bump are crowded areas, narrow doorways/passages but can be effected in the open at the kerbside when you stop or hesitate in crossing the road. These thefts are usually targeted, ie the thief has seen an opportunity you have presented to him.

See It Coming,

1. Be alert in likely black spots. State Store, Post Office, Black Market, Tourist Street, on busses, stair ways, and bus stops.
2. In smart places, be aware of people who look out of place.
3. Be suspicious if someone is staring at you but don’t not be distracted.
4. In the open, watch your shadow if it falls in front of you. Seeing a shadow next to yours, move to the side and if your new friend follows, then be alert. If two shadows follow, turn round and shout…. Loudly.!!!!!

Reduce the Risk

• Use only two strap bags, such as a small rucksack, using both straps.
• Do not show where you keep your stuff.

1. don’t answer the phone and put it back in your pocket
2. don’t take out money and put it back in your pocket.
3. have money in you hand for the bus fare/shop purchase etc.
4. if someone warns you about pick pockets, don’t check your pockets.
5. make sure your pockets don’t bulge, expect if you want they to!!!.
6. wear a body belt under your cloths for large amounts of money.
7. keep money in your brae, up your sleeve or top of your socks.

Stings

If they are intent on robbing you, try to make sure they get nothing,

1. Put a bulge in your trousers. Something like a packet of tissues, large kerchief or toilet roll tube. Looks like a wallet from the outside!!!
2. Safety pin the pocket with valuables. No defense against a razor cutting the pocket though.
3. Have your phone and keys on a cord attached to your cloths. Not your wallet, your friends might talk!!!

The Dip

The Targets

Hand bags and back packs.

Modus Operandi

Usually, a lone thief and the theft is achieved by stealth from behind. More often than not these thefts seem to be opportunistic. The thief is dipping your bag on the off chance.

See It Coming,

Be alert in likely black spots. State Store, Post Office, Black Market, Tourist Street, stair ways, on busses and bus stops

In the open, watch your shadow if it falls in front of you. Seeing a shadow next to yours, move to the side and if your new friend follows, then be alert. If two shadows follow, turn round and shout…. Loudly.!!!!!

Reduce the Risk

• Use only two strap bags, such as a small rucksack, using both straps.
• Wear the rucksack in front of you with both straps in use.
• Tie the zip pulls together on the pockets.

Stings

If they are intent on robbing you, try to make sure they get nothing,

• Leave one pocket slightly open with perhaps a bottle of water sticking out, giving them a target.

To bring list.

The timetable for the conference has been sent to you by email. First up is the reception at the Ambassador's Residence, Tuesday evening. 18:15 at VSO office to walk to the compound.

1. Beer/wine/water/soft drinks – Particularly wine if that is you tipple.
2. Nibbles – crisps, crystalised dried fruit, Pringles etc.
3. Torch – There is very little or no light after dark. Only the stars and moon.
4. Towel – Hand towel supplied by the camp.
5. Insect repellent – Not sure if the insect army is awake yet. Best be prepared.
6. Toilet paper – you never know when……….!!!!
7. Home comforts – There is no shop near so bring chocolate, favourite drink, biscuits, etc. No night raids on the camp kitchen as happened at Harbourne Hall!!!!!

If you can bring some,

• Balls of all sizes, for football, volley ball, basket ball, golf.
• DVD’s of recent films – to show at conference or swap
• Cards – for cannaster, bridge, snap
• Board games – chess, draughts, back gammon
• Soduku grids – for a competition.
• Musical instruments you can play – guitar, trumpet. Nice to hear live music.
• Bow and arrows – archer competition.
• Good books – lots of places to sit on your own and read a good book but also the conference is a good book swap opportunity.
• Any thing else that comes to mind

We can organise impromptu competitions, depending on your mood, one on one or SL v Health AND Education.