Outdoor exercisers, especially women, are warned to be constantly alert while going for a walk or run. This follows a number of attacks on female joggers in greater Durban recently.
“Two reports of attacks on female joggers were received in June in the Glenmore and Queensburgh areas and another two runners were attacked in Kingsburgh on Wednesday,” said Blue Security community and media liaison officer, Andreas Mathios. “While there are still restrictions on running in groups, due to COVID-19 regulations, runners need to increase vigilance while outdoors,” Mathios said.
“In Wednesday’s incident two female joggers were distracted by occupants in a passing car who stopped under the guise of asking for directions,” Mathios said. “Two suspects then jumped out of the vehicle and grabbed the women’s cellphones before getting back in to the car and driving away,” he said. The case is being investigated.
“Although exercising in groups is not allowed, joggers should still try and run with a partner to look out for each other, while maintaining social distancing,” he said. Here are further safety tips:
• Most importantly, be aware of one’s surroundings and/or suspicious behaviour by others. Try and maintain a distance between you and other fellow pedestrians if at all possible.
• Always tell someone where you are headed and your expected time of arrival back home. Many of today’s running watches have tracking devices. If possible, make use of this feature as an extra safety precaution.
• While many exercisers like to listen to music while outside ensure that it does not distract you from any potential danger around you. Keep all senses on the alert.
• Walking or running with a dog could also be a possible deterrent to a potential attacker.
• If carrying a cellphone try to keep it hidden. Refrain from using it or carrying it in your hand while exercising.
• For the same reason, refrain from wearing jewellery that could prove tempting to an opportunistic thief.
• Try to avoid isolated areas. Exercise in suburbs where one would be able to get help in the event of an emergency.
• If carrying pepper spray, be sure to know how to use it if threatened or under attack.
• Learn and practise useful self-defence techniques and visualize your reaction in the unfortunate event of an attack.
• Also try to remember details of the attacker and their vehicle, if they have one.
“Unfortunately we can never eliminate the dangers of being vulnerable to attack. So it is imperative that one try to avert the threat as much as possible,” Mathios said. However, if you do find yourself face to face with a mugger, understanding what actions you can take may just keep you out of harm’s way.
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