Prevention during a robbery

1.- During a robbery, you basically have two things to lose: your belongings and your life. Thieves generally go for the first one; However, many people lose both; Avoid being one of them.

2.- There is no single 'correct way' to respond to a confrontation or attack. Every situation is different. Your most effective weapons are your personal judgment and your commitment to maintaining your safety.

3.- The decision must be based on at least three factors:

Your personal strengths: Taking into account your health, age, constitution and physical capacity.

Perceived motivations for the attack/confrontation: Is the offender attempting to steal property or assault you?

Environmental factors: Are there people around who can help? Where could I go for safety?

4.- There are two types of thieves: professionals and amateurs. The most dangerous are the latter, since at the time of the assault they will be more nervous and it is this type of thieves who, in addition to stealing, suddenly rape and kill their victims. If you have the misfortune of encountering any of them, take into consideration the recommendations presented here:

5.- If your belongings are what the attacker wants, give them to him. Belongings can be replaced, life cannot.

6.- Given the enormous risk of being a victim of a criminal act, it is important to be psychologically prepared to face this eventuality and, likewise, educate family members and co-workers, in order to be able to leave as soon as possible and as soon as possible. better off from the situation. Remember: You can prepare for an incident before it happens by imagining potential security threats and visualizing how you would respond. If such a thing happens, I will do this...

7.- Whatever place you are approached, do not fight or argue with the thief; Remember that, in general, they are armed and any movement misinterpreted by the assailant can cost you or your possible companions' lives.

8.- Try by all means to remain calm and try not to make the assailant lose control, do not show fear beyond natural fear and obey him. Do not try to disarm it, although everything depends on the context and the situation - all different - remember that when faced with a weapon there is no physical force that prevails.

9.- Only you can decide to respond to an emergency. Assess the situation. Be alert. Listen and observe to make the best decision possible. In an attack the goals are to escape and survive.

10.- During the assault, remain silent and follow orders, avoid looking the offender in the eyes and cooperate by carefully handing over his belongings; reassure—as much as possible—the thief.

11.- In case of gunshots, look for cover, drop to the ground and cover your head. Although the situation is highly stressful and traumatic, evaluate the context.

12.- If the attack is with edged weapons (knives), in principle, do not resist. If you can and circumstances allow, keep your distance or run away.

13.- Do not chase the assailants for any reason.

14.- If you are at home and hear outside noises, do not go out. If your home is broken into and you are inside, call the police emergency number immediately. Make noise, turn on the lights if it's night; That will probably be enough to deter the assailant(s). Lock yourself and your family in a room (preferably previously selected as a 'safe room'), lock the door and ask for help by phone; alert neighbors with your alarm system or even by shouting from the window; A useful tactic—if you have one—is to activate the car alarm with the remote control to attract attention. Consider the circumstances and if you can get out and run, do so.

15.- Immediately after the assault, take shelter in a business or safe place, ask for support and report the incident to the nearest police authority.

16.- After the event and if the situation warrants it, put yourself in the hands of medical and psychologist experts to overcome the experience.

1.- Try, as far as possible, to remain calm and do not lie to the offender.

2.- Try to resolve the situation as a negotiation. Negotiate with truth, not falsehoods, and avoid making promises.

3.- Minimize your economic, employment and social situation.

4.- Do not spontaneously mention your address or the fact that you have money in your house.

5.- Do not complicate the situation, avoid going home, do not change an open place for a closed one, in addition, you will avoid exposing your family.

6.- Do not mention that you know wealthy or influential people.

7.- Do not try to attack them, remember that when faced with a weapon there is no physical force that prevails. Only you can decide to respond to an emergency. Assess the situation. Be alert.

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Avoid turning an assault into a kidnapping

If you are the victim of a robbery, prevent it from becoming a longer, more expensive event; Consider that you have time on your side, criminals mostly seek to obtain "the maximum benefit with the minimum effort, in the shortest possible time":