| Safety at night and on the streets | <h2 class="sectHeading">Give responsibly </h2><p>Within the City Bowl, you may encounter a number of street people who may approach you for money. </p><p>By supporting begging, you encourage destitute people to avoid social assistance and to choose a life on the street. While many are genuinely destitute and are looking for help, giving a hand-out perpetuates aggressive begging, substance abuse, the presence of children on the streets and chronic homelessness.</p><p>If you wish to support a street person, donate to a registered homeless shelter. The Western Cape Government keeps a
<a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/directories/facilities/847" target="_blank">database of registered homeless shelters<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>. You can also contact the City’s toll-free number on
<em><a>0800 872 201</a></em> to ask how to assist street people. </p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info remember"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Remember</h4><p>Please be aware of your personal belongings if you are approached by any stranger within the City Bowl.</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Be wary of thieves</h2><p>As with all big cities across the world, thieves and criminals working the streets often target tourists, knowing that they are a ‘softer’ target than locals and often likely to carry valuables like cameras and money.</p><div class="notification with-heading white-copy blue bg-navy"><div class="graphic no-border">
<i class="info safe"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>Did you know?</h4><p>
<b>A safe city: </b>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Metropolitan%20Police%20Services%20Department">Metropolitan Police Service’s</a> SSU (Strategic Surveillance Unit) monitors 560 cameras throughout Cape Town, 24 hours a day, seven days a week</p></div></div><p>
<strong>In order to stay safe and keep your possessions safe at all times, you should:</strong></p><ul><li>keep your bags and purses closed;</li><li>keep your money and cellphones in front pockets or places that are difficult for others to reach;</li><li>never leave your purse or cellphone on a table where you are seated;</li><li>never leave your bags unattended; and</li><li>try not to explore the city alone.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Safety at night</h2><p>
<strong>The nightlife in Cape Town is vibrant and is a popular attraction in the city. You can stay safe at night by:</strong></p><ul><li>not drinking and driving;</li><li>not bringing unnecessary valuables with you;</li><li>not walking or driving down dark alleyways or deserted roads;</li><li>being aware of strangers around you;</li><li>keeping your valuables out of sight; and</li><li>using an official taxi service and not taking lifts with strangers.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Cape Town Tourism – visitor safety support</h2><p> Cape Town Tourism offers a safety and support service for visitors. The service operates 24 hours, seven days a week and is free to all travellers. This service includes: </p><p>
<b>Administrative support</b></p><ul><li>Connecting you to embassies and consulates</li><li>Assisting with language</li><li>Assisting with legal processes</li><li>Assisting with replacement documents (e.g. flight tickets)</li></ul><p>
<b>Practical and emotional support</b></p><ul><li>Trauma counselling</li><li>Getting you to hospitals or getting medical treatment</li><li>Help finding short-term accommodation</li><li>Help with contacting family or friends</li><li>Facilitating transport arrangements</li></ul><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<strong> </strong>
<i class="info note"></i><strong> </strong></div><div class="desc"><h4>
<strong>Please note</strong></h4><p>
<strong></strong>Our visitor safety service doesn't offer financial assistance, replacement of lost items, compensation for losses of any kind, direct medical attention, or legal advice. </p></div></div><p>If you need support and advice or have suggestions, please contact Cape Town Tourism using the details below. </p><h4>Cape Town Tourism Visitor Support </h4><p>
<em>Telephone:</em><br><em><a>021 487 6800</a></em></p><p>
<em>Email:</em><br><em><a>sonya@capetown.travel</a></em><br></p> | | GP0|#508f931c-3b1e-4a31-afd9-1b01c4a23c8d;L0|#0508f931c-3b1e-4a31-afd9-1b01c4a23c8d|Safety at night and on the streets;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#0a4bd5be-45ba-4f29-9467-09eaac3d8884;GPP|#bdeab521-3d99-4e61-8a9d-b298f4037b2a;GPP|#c529c1ac-1f8d-48ae-8079-d34f4dae9c57;GP0|#d37df32b-8e5a-4286-8a03-23a7c1153ced;L0|#0d37df32b-8e5a-4286-8a03-23a7c1153ced|Safety at night and on the streets;GPP|#5304393b-2d4f-4ade-9667-f7f72a15928f;GPP|#36dcb5fe-6bfc-4ae9-92d7-8bd08d1f6414;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752;GP0|#c27d0042-f53e-4f3a-88e2-44b81d2f2efa;L0|#0c27d0042-f53e-4f3a-88e2-44b81d2f2efa|Safety at night and on the streets;GPP|#4e24a9e3-0ea2-46ba-a192-615c4c57f93d;GPP|#df0a3405-0ca1-4617-8047-15a034219fee;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Simple tips and precautions for staying safe on Cape Town’s streets. | |
