How to Avoid Being Mugged

Last Updated: November 5, 2020 Approved

While the majority of towns and cities around the world are safe, you might sometimes visit an area with a high crime rate and an increased chance of being mugged. If this is the case, you need to be careful to safeguard yourself, your loved ones, and your property from theft. By depending on others, staying aware, and knowing a little about the area you’re traveling in, you’ll be better able to avoid being mugged.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Staying Aware

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Avoid listening to music. When walking in public, you should avoid listening to music on a cell phone or other personal listening device. The music could distract you from various dangers, and someone could take advantage of you if you’re distracted by listening to your music.^{[1]
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Don’t play with your smart phone. While it may seem like a normal thing to do, playing with or checking texts on your smartphone could distract you.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.} A mugger may see this and identify you as a potential victim.
- In addition to your phone being a distraction, it might also be something a mugger wants to steal.^{[3]
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Look around. As you walk, make sure to look around. Walk with your head up and look from side to side occasionally. Ultimately, the more you are aware of your surroundings, the easier it'll be to avoid being mugged.^{[4]
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- If you see someone suspicious or threatening, walk away from them.
- Be careful turning corners. Try to make a long turn so you can see what’s around a corner before you turn it. After all, there could be a mugger waiting on the other side of the corner.
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Travel on well-lit streets.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.} The better lit a street is, the less likely a person will try to mug you without fear. As a result, stick to streets that are well-lit. In addition, avoid dark streets and darker areas of town.
- If you’re going into a dark area, bring a torch and wear something reflective such as a high-visibility vest.
- Avoid shortcuts that are dark. Saving a couple of minutes isn’t worth jeopardizing your safety.^{[6]
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Ask people about the part of town you’re walking in. If you’re unfamiliar with a certain area, you should ask locals about it before you walk about. This way, you’ll have an idea of whether an area is dangerous or not before you get there.^{[7]
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Review a map or ask for directions before you start your journey. Before you set off on a walk around town, have a good idea of where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. You can do this by asking for directions or by consulting a map before you start on the walk. This way, you won’t have to stop and ask strangers for directions or look to Google Maps on your phone – things that make you look vulnerable.^{[8]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Surrounding Yourself With Other People

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Travel with a group. If you think you’re in a high-risk location, you can lower your chances of being mugged by walking with a group. Muggers are much less likely to approach a group of people when they can simply target an individual.
- If you’re leaving a bar at night, walk to your car or home with a group of people. In addition, consider having one person drive everyone else to their cars or homes – if their cars or homes require a long walk.^{[9]
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Walk with a local. If you’re in an area you’re not familiar with, you’ll be much safer if you walk with a local. Locals will not only know what areas of town are dangerous, but they’ll likely fit in more and may not be targeted by a mugger.
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Seek help if you are being followed.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.} If for any reason you suspect you are in danger or are actively being followed, you should seek help immediately. You can do this by approaching a nearby police officer or by walking into a bar, restaurant, or store.
- If you walk into a public establishment, make sure to wait enough time until you are sure the person following you has left. If you’re not sure, contact the authorities.
- If there aren't police or safe establishments around, continue to walk confidently and briskly to an area you know is safe.^{[11]
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Stay in well-populated areas. Muggers are much less likely to strike in places where there are a lot of people around. As a result, try to walk in areas where there are a lot of people.^{[12]
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- If presented with two routes to your destination, pick the one with more people.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Avoiding Drawing Attention to Yourself

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Dress like a local. If you’re visiting an area you’re not from, try not to dress like a tourist. This is because muggers and other criminals often target people who are tourists or visitors.
- If you have any, wear domestically made clothes instead of designer imports.
- Avoid wearing t-shirts that show you’re a tourist. For instance, if you bought a shirt at a local tourist attraction, wait until you are home to wear it.
EXPERT TIP

Tsahi Shemesh
Self Defense Trainer
Tsahi Shemesh is a self-defense expert, specializing in Krav Maga. He began learnring Krav Maga in 1988, and trained directly under Imi Lichtenfeld, the founder of the sport. Shemesh is the Founder and Program Director of Krav Maga Experts in New York City. He has certified hundreds of instructors, trained a wide variety of professionals (including EMTs and NYPD officers), and his curriculum is taught in over a dozen countries worldwide.

Tsahi Shemesh
Self Defense Trainer

Once you're in the mugging situation, you need to weigh your options. Is giving the mugger your wallet the best option, or the worst? If someone wants your wallet and you don't know how to de-escalate the situation, the safest option is to give them the money. Possessions are replaceable, but your well-being is not.
2
Avoid displaying signs of wealth. If you're in an impoverished or unfamiliar area, don’t wear expensive watches, jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, or display electronic devices. In addition, keep as little money in your wallet as possible and don’t display a lot of money if/when you purchase something.^{[13]
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- If you have to transport jewelry or expensive items, conceal them.
3
Walk with purpose. Move along a street or sidewalk as if you know where you’re going and know what you’re doing. If you walk in a timid and unsure manner, a mugger could spot you as a vulnerable person.
- Avoid looking around nervously as if you are unsure of where you are or what you’re doing.
- Avoid taking pictures of every little thing on the street. While something might make a great photo op, your interest in photography may give off the impression that you’re a tourist.
- Take self-defense classes so you can defend yourself.^{[14]
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  Saul Jaeger, MS
  Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
  Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.} While this won't prevent you from being mugged, it will bolster your confidence, and could deter a potential attacker.
4
Don't walk around late at night. Since there are very few people walking at night, you'll draw attention to yourself by being on the street very late. Even if you're with a group, you'll increase your chances of getting mugged. Instead of walking:
- Get a taxi.
- Call a friend to give you a lift.
- Return home earlier or spend the night at the person's house you're visiting.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Should I try to stop a mugger?

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Saul Jaeger is a Police Officer and Captain of the Mountain View, California Police Department (MVPD). Saul has over 17 years of experience as a patrol officer, field training officer, traffic officer, detective, hostage negotiator, and as the traffic unit’s sergeant and Public Information Officer for the MVPD. At the MVPD, in addition to commanding the Field Operations Division, Saul has also led the Communications Center (dispatch) and the Crisis Negotiation Team. He earned an MS in Emergency Services Management from the California State University, Long Beach in 2008 and a BS in Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix in 2006. He also earned a Corporate Innovation LEAD Certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2018.

Saul Jaeger, MS

Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You never know if someone has a weapon, so you should cooperate and give them anything they're trying to take. You can always replace the things that were stolen from you.
Question

How do you avoid getting robbed when traveling?

Ross Cascio
Self Defense Trainer
Ross Cascio is a Krav Maga Worldwide self-defense, fitness, and fight instructor. He has been training and teaching Krav Maga self-defense, fitness, and fight classes at the Krav Maga Worldwide HQ Training Centers in Los Angeles, CA for over 15 years. He helps people become stronger, safer, and healthier through Krav Maga Worldwide training.

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If you're going someplace new, do a little research and planning before you go. It could be anything from jogging at night or going to a new restaurant to going on vacation in a foreign country, but it's best to be safe. Look at what's nearby, what you'll be doing while you're there, and how far it is from where you are or will be staying.
Question

How do I not get mugged in New York?

Ross Cascio
Self Defense Trainer
Ross Cascio is a Krav Maga Worldwide self-defense, fitness, and fight instructor. He has been training and teaching Krav Maga self-defense, fitness, and fight classes at the Krav Maga Worldwide HQ Training Centers in Los Angeles, CA for over 15 years. He helps people become stronger, safer, and healthier through Krav Maga Worldwide training.

Ross Cascio

Self Defense Trainer

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Muggers are generally looking for the path of least resistance. If you're alert and you carry yourself like you're aware of your surroundings, it's less likely that you're going to be targeted. Don't get lost in your phone, keep your eyes active, and keep one ear free from your headphones or airpods. Also, pay attention to cars around you in parking garages and on the sides of streets. Little details like this make you difficult to ambush.

Warnings

Your physical safety (and that of others in your group) should be your top priority. If you are accosted, handing over your items may be smarter than attempting to fight someone off.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.}

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