Why Summer Crime Spikes: Burglars, Predators & Social Media Risks

Summer feels safer - but violent crime actually increases. In this Quick Tips episode, Julie Waite (women’s safety advocate) and Dene Josham (former bodyguard to Angelina Jolie and self defence expert) reveal six overlooked summer dangers and how to avoid them. From burglary and social media oversharing to car theft and predatory behaviour, they share fast, practical tips based on real stats.

Learn how a few small mindset shifts can help you stay one step ahead - without giving up your summer freedom.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Understanding Summer Safety Risks
• 3:03 Home Security Tips for Summer
• 7:38 The Dangers of Oversharing Online
• 9:35 Vehicle Safety During Summer Outings
• 11:29 Predatory Behavior and Personal Safety
• 13:21 Mindset and Awareness for Personal Security

Transcript

Julie Waite (00:01)

Welcome back to Self-Defence for Women, Live an Empowered Life, the podcast that helps you stay safe, feel strong, and take control of your personal security, both physically and emotionally.

I'm Julie Waite, women's safety advocate and alongside me is Dene Josham, security expert with 30 years experience and former bodyguard of Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Russell Crowe. And together we co-founded Streetwise Defence. Today in one of our Quick Tips episodes, we're looking at one of the most overlooked topics in personal safety, summer. Here's something most people don't realise, a violent crime spikes during the summer months in the UK. Between 2012 and 2020,

there were on average 62,000 more assaults with injury during the summer.

According to the ONS, June, July and August consistently show higher rates of violent and sexual offences compared with winter months, and when temperatures rise in London, violent assaults increase by 14%. So let's talk about everyday things that can catch you out. Open windows, oversharing online, leaving valuables in plain sight, and what you can do to stay one step ahead.

So today we're going to look at six different areas that will help you stay safe during the summer. But first, Dene, I just wondered what you think about those statistics. I was surprised by some of those, particularly the fact that sexual assaults are higher in the summer because I know people often come to us during the darker months during winter for training because you feel, I think naturally you feel more scared in the dark, but I found it quite surprising that...

potentially what those statistics are showing that you're at more risk during summer evenings. What do you think of those?

Dene - Streetwise Defence (01:49)

Yeah, it's interesting isn't when you look at and you find out the reality and it's that human behavior Isn't it changes massively in the winter when a lot of people don't go out as much. There's not as many social events Potentially in summer people drink more and maybe take stuff as well. So that creates more opportunity and I think Yeah summer months your Habits and your routines are very different from from winter which potentially like always can create opportunities for you know, the bad people out there

Julie Waite (02:19)

Yeah, it's hard isn't it? When I was looking up those statistics I thought, here we go again I'm starting another podcast episode with a load of like really gloomy statistics but everything starts with awareness so if you think that you're safe in the summer because it's not dark early on and then you go out and

you're unprepared, then I think you end up in more difficult situations than if you have some awareness that actually there is still some danger out there that you need to just be prepared for and be aware of.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (02:43)

Yeah.

Yeah, definitely as well. And I think in summer, you know, like I said about the temperature in London, violent assaults increased by 14%. I know what heat does to me. I know, you know, if you haven't got air con, you can get, if it's close, you feel frustrated and all this kind of creates that different kind of emotion and feeling. you're so some people when they're too hot, they get more frustrated. They have less tolerance. They can be more emotional.

Julie Waite (03:03)

Mm. ⁓

Mmm.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (03:22)

Yeah, all sorts of elements that adds to this, especially in the summertime. Or massively, yeah, massive.

Julie Waite (03:25)

Yeah, daytime drinking as well. Yeah.

Okay, so we're going to go through these six areas to give you some tips. The first one we're going to look at is home security. And according to Aviva Insurance, burglary claims rise by 48 % in July and August compared with February, which is a surprisingly large increase.

A 2023 study from Halifax Home Insurance found that one in three burglaries happened through open windows and doors, often left that way during hot weather. And an NFU Mutual 2022 survey found that nearly 60 % of UK homeowners admit to leaving windows open while out in the summer. So if you were looking at a house as a potential target, what would you be looking for?

Dene - Streetwise Defence (04:16)

If you've got look at your house, that if you was a bad person, a burglar or whatever, how would you get into your house? What's the easiest way in? And it's about realizing how you can access your own home if you had to and how hard that would be. yeah, mean, 60 % of people leaving windows open, that's madness, isn't it? Because there is nobody in the house. Simple things. I know last time I looked, which was...

bit quite a bit ago now I think it was a quarter a quarter of crimes are opportunists so by simply locking your door closing your window and locking it you eliminate you know potential and easy to being an easy target

Julie Waite (04:59)

Yeah, I think you want to keep the house cool, don't you, while you're out until you leave the windows open, you want some air going through.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (05:03)

Well,

but then if you do, you've got to understand my house is open. Someone can get in. Okay, you've...

Julie Waite (05:10)

Yeah. And what about if

the windows open it's on one of those little latches like

Dene - Streetwise Defence (05:16)

Yeah,

but they know what they're doing. You know, they're not they're not amateurs You know, they've probably done it before they've probably done a bit of research, you know, they don't want to get caught So it's like a job to some of these people. So always on a latch How easy is it? If you lost your keys and your downstairs windows on a latch, do you think you could get in? I'm pretty sure you could force it because then little latches are only little latches. They're not they're not a severe security

Julie Waite (05:19)

Mm.

Mmm.

Yeah.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (05:46)

⁓ Yeah, mechanism that's gonna stop a thief.

Julie Waite (05:52)

Okay, so it's about not letting your guard down just because the weather's warm

and then a couple of things if you're going on holiday as well, I know a tip that you told me years ago that's always helpful. If you have a calendar in the kitchen and you've got dates marked on it and it's visible, you know, from someone looking in through the window, don't leave that up, particularly if it says, you know, in big capitals, holiday for two weeks because it just gives that opportunist the knowledge that, this house is empty. We can take our time. We can do whatever we need to do to

Dene - Streetwise Defence (06:19)

Yeah.

Julie Waite (06:26)

get in this house and that's something I always do now take our calendar down.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (06:30)

I with that as well, so if roughly a quarter of crimes are opportunist, then three quarters of crimes are any information you give out, ⁓ it can always be turned against you.

So it's been probably just a little bit more guarded and being a bit more aware of what we share openly.

Julie Waite (06:51)

Yeah, that kind of leads us on to the second point, which is oversharing on social media. And again, another study, 2021 UK study by YouGov found that over 40 % of people post holiday content while they're away, giving away their live location. And burglars have admitted in interviews via Crimestoppers that they use Instagram and Facebook to identify empty homes.

especially during school holidays so it's a difficult one isn't it because you're away on holiday and you want to share pictures because it's really nice and you want to show everyone where you are and show off a little bit but it is an advertisement that your home is empty well if it's a habit and something you've always done

Dene - Streetwise Defence (07:38)

Is it difficult?

Yeah,

I get people want to share that and with family and friends and stuff. But then again, it's like who gets access to ⁓ your information you give out? Is it just family? Is it family and friends? Is it the public? Just be wary of obviously who can access that. And we're trying to be killed joys. But it's that reality is like, know, what they said there, know, criminals will look and go, yeah, that's a massive thing, isn't it? People on holiday, criminals know that.

So it's that just pause and thinking, okay, do I post it now or do I wait a couple of days or when I get back?

Julie Waite (08:19)

Yeah, I always now post, I mean don't really post that much personal stuff anymore anyway, but if I am going to, I'll do it once we're back home and making it clear that you are home so that people don't think you're away and then try and target the house then with you in it. So it's just making it clear in the post that, you know, we had a great time and we're back and here's some pictures from the holidays.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (08:36)

Yeah.

Julie Waite (08:42)

this is a slightly different one, but driving along with your windows open, you know, if your air cons not working, I had a car for, for two years, it didn't have air con during that really hot spell that we had. So I was a full windows down person for a while and

A lot of people don't realise that, again, opportunists, particularly in towns and cities at traffic lights and things like that, will grab through the window. So it's thinking about what you've got on the seat in your car and how easy it would be for someone to grab that.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (09:08)

Yeah.

It's just a little bit more being observant. You go, okay, I've got both windows down. Have I got my handbag and my phone on the seat next to me? You know, traffic lights, you you stop, know, it's how fast things really happen. So it's like, okay, I might only have my side window up, sort of that much, you know? So it's just, yeah, you put stuff on the floor or behind you, know, behind the seat and the back windows are up. It's just a little bit of thought,

Julie Waite (09:35)

Yeah, when you stop in and then you're...

Mm-hmm. Yep.

The other thing linked to that, the fourth area is a day trip or beach or picnic safety. the AA insurance says that theft from vehicles spikes when people are leaving valuables visible during day trips and parking touristy areas. So it's just thinking about, when you get to the beach or your picnic or wherever you're going and you're getting all your bags out and there's a bit of a rush to get out of the car and you've got

stuff everywhere, not then leaving valuables or anything visible in the car.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (10:20)

Yeah,

yeah, it's just that quick few seconds check it, scan your car, look in your car and go, okay, that, you know, that there's nothing can show or I've taken everything out. You know, look, how quick can you smash a window, especially if you've got the right equipment? You know, it's like anyone who's professional has certain professional equipment they buy, like a joiner of professional equipment or a bricklayer. You know, these people will have equipment, you know, because they want to make it as quick and easy as they can.

Julie Waite (10:44)

Hmm.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (10:47)

guarantee if you put a laptop and a bag on a seat in a car park, that bag and laptop can be gone within two seconds. You can shatter a windscreen, a side window, very easily.

Julie Waite (11:01)

Yeah. Then the fifth area is really about more of the like the predatory behavior and these people that are looking to target women, particularly for like sexual assault. And I guess it's like what is happening during summer that's making it easier for them to commit these assaults.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (11:29)

think attitudes change, don't they? Like I said earlier, winter people are more concerned because it's darker nights and of course darkness can pose its problems and concerns and issues and dangers. And I think some people think because it's lighter, there's not as much danger. But when reality is people are out longer, people are enjoying themselves more, there's definitely more alcohol and recreational drugs that... ⁓

Julie Waite (11:53)

Mm.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (11:57)

for predators creates an opportunity.

Julie Waite (12:00)

Yeah and I think if you are walking home late just because it's light it does make you feel safer. I was saying to you earlier if I go out walking the dog in winter at six o'clock and it's dark I don't feel as safe as when I'm walking the dog at eight or nine o'clock or later or I'm out later in the summer but actually there's less people around.

and there's more opportunity then for these people who might be out, you know, looking for the target.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (12:33)

Yeah, I think as well when you look at yourself you go when it's dark, it's like psychologically I'd start or there's more danger because people can hide and all, you know use their cover of darkness when it's lighter you go well there's not that problem there or that that issue as as big because it's light till nine half nine at night. So he kind of drops your defenses a little bit because you go darkness equals danger light doesn't but then you go well

Julie Waite (12:49)

Yeah.

You're not as alert, you?

Mm.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (13:03)

when you understand and if you've listened to this and other podcasts and you look around and you're more aware, you realize that time of day and time of night, there's always potential issues or dangers and concerns you've got to be aware of. And that changes through the year, through the day, through the night.

Julie Waite (13:21)

Yeah. And then the final area that we wanted to mention really was mindset and awareness, which is something we always talk about. You know, when we teach self-defense, we teach it with four pillars of self-defense, which are awareness, prevention, mindset, and the physical. And what's one mindset or awareness shift that people can take away with them about?

summer safety from this episode.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (13:49)

I think you have to realize

it's a constant thing. Your personal safety is a constant thing, whatever time of year it is, wherever you are,

And that's the reality is, know, personal safety is a massive thing. The investment you put into looking into it and being more aware is gonna really help you because it's a massive skill set.

Julie Waite (14:07)

Mm.

Yeah, and I think it's not about being fearful or scared, it's just about having the awareness, making some small changes and planning ahead and just not, still enjoying yourself but not dropping your guard so much that you're doing things that put you at risk.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (14:20)

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, it's just thinking it will never happen to me. I hope it doesn't. I wish it never happened to anybody. But it does because of statistics. It's happening all the time, unfortunately, because there's eight billion people and I don't know when that's going to change.

Julie Waite (14:41)

Okay, well.

hope those summer safety tips were helpful for you. Please share this episode with a friend or with someone that needs to hear this. If you are interested in learning the physical self-defense and all of the other elements that we teach as well, we have some online courses. We have a quick one-hour course which is called Self-Defence Essentials. That's just £24. It's really accessible and we want it to be accessible to everyone. We don't want there to be any barriers or excuses for not learning this.

Then if you want to go more in depth we have a course called Seven Day Self-Defence for Women where over around about an hour a day over seven days you will get a real deep dive into ⁓ all the different types of violence, how to deal with them and all the different physical elements as well. So take a look at those on our website.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (15:34)

have say as well, Julie, if you listen to this and you do look at it, Julie, it's a handheld day by day, it's only seven hours. Invest that time in yourself because this is massive. You can watch box sets and people do that and it's like, it's a shame people don't take personal safety ⁓ as much as they do watching their favorite box set or watching a film again because it's just so priceless, this kind of knowledge and education and understanding on your personal safety.

Julie Waite (16:01)

Agree.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (16:02)

Sorry, off my soapbox.

Julie Waite (16:06)

Right so if you want to do that head over to StreetwiseDefence.com take a look at our online courses and this is actually our last episode for the summer so we will be back in September but if you want to subscribe there's a link to do that on the website you'll get our email, newsletters and tips throughout the summer and then you will be first to see when our new podcast season starts so thank you for all your support and stay safe.

Dene - Streetwise Defence (16:34)

Thanks everyone.