Carry attack alarms and don't listen to music: Crime charity issues first ever advice to MEN

Men should carry personal attack alarms and avoid talking on their mobile phones or using personal music players while walking in the street, according to new crime advice.

The guidelines, previously issued to women, come after it was revealed that men were twice as likely to suffer violent attacks.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, set up to raise safety awareness after the disappearance of the 26-year-old London estate agent in 1986, also said men should stay calm and try to talk their way out of confrontations, while avoiding aggressive body language such as folded arms.

Physical self-defence should only be used as a last resort and it was ‘not always the best idea’ to help someone being attacked.

Keeping fit could also help, according to the organisation. It added that men should realise how they come across after drinking, and should ask their friends how they are behaving.

The warning comes as the full extent of London’s knife crime epidemic is revealed in the new British Crime Survey.

A staggering 7,428 knife crimes - a third of all the nonfatal offences in England and Wales - were committed in London in the past year, equivalent to more than 20 a day.

The figure is more than three times that of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, the areas with the next-biggest totals.

The statistics, covering the 12 months to March this year, do not include fatal stabbings.

But separate data shows that between 1 January and 15 July there were 88 killings in London.

Mayor Boris Johnson today promised to tackle gun and knife crime by giving those who missed out on education a second chance.

Speaking as he launched the capital’s first Skills and Employment Strategy, London’s Future, he said those who had been failed by the education system could have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to get a job and stop them gravitating to crime.

The Mayor also met singer Lily Allen to discuss knife crime, following her appeal for people to ‘stop stabbing each other in the UK ... Boris, if you’re listening, call me, man.’

The pair spoke for 45 minutes at City Hall yesterday.

Mr Johnson said afterwards he was ‘delighted’ Allen would use her fan base to spread the anti-knife message.

The top five pieces of advice given to men is below:

1. Think about where you are going and how to get there. Plan your route to avoid deserted streets and dark parks or alleyways.
2. Avoid wearing headphones or chatting on your mobile when walking down the street alone, as this will prevent you from hearing any danger warning signals.
3. Carry a personal attack alarm. They are not just for women. Use it to shock and disorientate an attacker. This will gain vital seconds for you to get away.
4. If you hear or see trouble ahead, then cut off or turn around before you get to it and head to the nearest safe place, such as a garage, police station or anywhere where there will be lots of people.
5. Remember, alcohol severely affects your ability to make safe judgements. The majority of violent attacks on young men take place in or around licensed premises. Think about how much you drink and the type of places you go drinking.