Protecting Yourself Against Street Crime

In recent years, community safety has been increasingly threatened by street crimes such as bag snatching, bicycle theft　and crimes targeting women and children. Criminals tend to choose their places and times to attack easy targets.

To prevent crimes and protect yourself and your property, it is essential to develop crime prevention measures and to try and establish a crime-free environment.

Here are some basic tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of street crimes.

The Kyoto Prefectural Police Crime Analysis Unit publishes detailed reports on trends in street crimes.

What are street crimes?

Street crimes refer to those crimes committed in urban areas, including bag snatching, vehicle theft, thefts from vehicles, vehicle part thefts, motorcycle theft, and bicycle theft.

• Bag snatching : Your bag or other possession is snatched away
• Theft from vehicle : Your cash or valuables are stolen from inside your vehicle
• Vehicle parts theft : Parts attached to a vehicle are stolen

Bag snatching

• Features
  • Victimes are mostly women, accounting for more than 90% of all victims.
  • "Targets" are likely to be young women in their 20s and middle-aged and elderly people in their 50s and 60s.
  • Crimes occur mainly in residential areas and on deserted streets at dusk.
  • Crimes occur between early evening and night time.
  • Criminals snatch bags out of the victim's hand or front bicycle basket while passing in a motorbike.

• Preventive measures
  • Carry your bag by looping it across the opposing shoulder, and keep it on the side farthest from the road.
  • Choose to walk on busier streets.
  • Look behind you and pay attention when a motorbike or stranger approaches you.
  • Cover the front basket of your bicycle using a snatch prevention net or a magazine.
  • Do not talk or text on your mobile phone while walking.

Motor vehicle theft/theft from vehicles/vehicle part theft

• Features
  • In addition to cars, trucks are also likely targets.
  • Parking lots without security alarm system and those that accommodate 20 cars or more are the most vulnerable to theft.
  • Criminals unlock car doors by breaking windows or keyholes.
  • In the middle of the night, deserted and poorly illuminated parking lots are also vulnerable.
  • Vehicle navigation equipment, license plates and high-end electric tools are among the items most commonly stolen from cars.

• Preventive measures taken by drivers
  • Whenever you leave your car, even for a short period of time, remove the car key from the ignition, shut the windows completely, and lock the doors.
  • Never leave valuables, bags, or cash inside your car.
  • Never hide your spare car key inside/around your car.
  • Try to protect your car using a security alarm or theft prevention system.
  • Use a vehicle cover sheet.

• Preventive measures taken by parking lot administrators
  • Brighter illumination in the parking lot
  • Surveillance cameras for blind spots in the parking lot
  • Fencing around the parking lot and installing an entrance gate control system
  • Security personnel for the parking lot

* Sensor security lighting systems can be effective for the parking spaces of private residences.

Bicycle theft/motorbike theft

• Features
  • Unlocked bicycles and bicycles parked along roads are vulnerable to theft.
  • Bicycles parked around train stations and entertainment districts are also vulnerable to theft.
  • Motorbikes are vulnerable to theft during the night on weekends.

• Preventive measures
  • Make sure to double-lock your bike with a chain key.
  • Add your bike to a theft prevention registration list.
  • Never leave your bike around train stations or on the street. Make sure to park it in a designated bicycle parking area.

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