Over the last year and a half there has been an upsurge in crime around the town where my college is situated. We?ve been warned both in the local newspaper and by college to watch out for daylight robberies in the local park, placed next to the college where the majority of students travel through to get to and fro the institute.

My opinion was that the threats were overrated and that it hardly happened. But when both my brother nearly got mugged (he stood was with a friend and overwhelmed the two robbers) and my best friend it acted as a wake up call.

I decided that when confronted by a group I would run, just run run run. As I do athletics at college and train regularly I doubted that they would catch me, if they even would bother with chasing me at all. Furthermore when passing through the park I would stay alert and have an escape route planned.

On Friday morning I took my normal route through the park to get to college with a sleepy head. The park was relatively quiet when suddenly two guys in there 20s (estimated) appeared in front of me asking me if I had a ?1 to spare. I sprinted/jumped couple of metres to the left where there was a large grass field which would act as my escape route. At the same time I shouted **** off!
They were startled by my sudden reaction, as was I. But they didn?t come after me so I jogged a further 30m and continued with my journey. They did shout ?Hey it?s the same one? probably confusing me with my twin brother who they tried to rob.

So did they want to rob me? I?m certain they did want to, looking for an easy catch. I planned what I would do when confronted but am still surprised that it was such a quick reaction. It happened instinctively. I doubt that without going through my mind what I would do, it would have turned out the same. It might well have been a rather different situation.

The question is that what else can I do to prevent it? I keep a lookout, plan possible escape routes, attempt to travel with more people and stay alert. I?d love to join a specialised self defence club if I had the time...maybe at university.

Regards,
Reinhardt <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />