GEORGE NEWS - Summer in the Garden Route is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. But, following the brutal attack on two female hikers on Monday 13 November in the forest in the north of George, hikers and residents who simply walk their dogs are weary of enjoying the pristine but secluded areas in and around the city.

The women, who were violently robbed of their belongings by two men wielding sticks and pepper spray, emerged bruised and bloodied from the forest near Plantation Rd in Heatherlands. 

Fortunately, although suffering severe injuries and trauma, the women are set to make a full recovery.

Following the attack, Shawn Northey, the chairman of the Camphersdrift, Glen Barrie and Heatherlands Neighbourhood Watch, urged residents to keep up their activities in the forest and not to forfeit their daily walks and hikes in the forest. 

“The more people who make use of the hiking trails, the safer it will be. Criminal thugs tend to avoid busy areas where there are lots of eyes. Walk in groups as there is safety in numbers,” Northey said.

Fidelity Service’s group head of marketing and communications, Charnel Hattingh has compiled a list of safety tips for people who enjoy the great outdoors.

• Carry some ID - Carry some form of identification on you, so that any bystanders will know who you are and who to contact in case of an emergency. Most exercise gear has small pockets for this very reason.
• Safety in numbers – Hattingh strongly discourages running or cycling alone. Rather join a group of people who can look out for your safety and offer encouragement along the way when muscle pain or cramps set in.
• Tell someone – Another good idea is to ensure someone you trust, knows that you are headed out for a run or cycle, and has an idea of the route you plan to take and when you expect you will return. In this way, they can quickly raise the alarm if you do not return as planned.
• Be visible - Wear reflective clothing to make sure you are visible to other road users. Run against traffic and cycle with traffic. This makes you even more visible to others. If you can, make use of pavements or any designated cycle tracks.
• Vary your routine – Changing up your route and training time makes it difficult for any would-be criminal to anticipate your movements. The change in scenery can also make the physical exertion more bearable.
• Charge your phone battery – Make sure your cell phone battery is fully charged so that you can call for help in case of an emergency. It is also important to save the correct emergency contact numbers on your phone so that you can quickly contact the police, your security company, or your neighbourhood watch when you need them.
• Mobile tracking – Find out from your security company if they offer a mobile tracking app that can be downloaded on your cell phone. This is an effective way of alerting emergency service providers when you need them while also giving them your accurate location, especially if you are running or hiking along a mountain path or in a forest.

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