Hello mitchy999,

Thank you very much for taking the time to warn people in the area about this incident last Saturday night.

And those residents of Grierson Road who came to help you were amazing, as you said.

What also amazes me is your quick recovery time. I’m heartened to read that in the space of just a few days you pushed through your anxiety and on the other side you found that you “…feel so strong now”.

I’m pleased to read on here how others employ various tactics to minimise risk. There are many others, of course, such as learning self-defence (physical and verbal) to carrying little devices with you (personal safety alarms). Many others. One tactic that I quite like, that one of my lady friends uses, is to wave every so often as though you've just seen a friend somewhere down the road or in a window. It could make you look a bit crazy but then muggers probably know best to avoid crazy people.

This thread has me reflecting when I’m lumbering home along quiet roads in the dark. I’m a 6 foot plus bloke with a big beard. Think Chewbacca. But balding.

So, when I find myself hulking down Devonshire Road late at night and there is a lady walking alone in front of me, looking over her shoulder furtively every few seconds, then I’ll switch to the other side of the road. Then overtake. And finally move back to their/my/our side further on, with an appropriate safe distance, so I can turn into my street.

I could hold back. Walk a bit slower. But my bladder is usually bursting. That’s me getting old and all that.

I know many other chaps that do these little types of dances down the street in an attempt to ameliorate concerns.

Oh, I really like hoona’s positives. A little over a year ago this thread emerged that certainly chimes in with hoona’s positives in our part of the world.