IN the fourth part of our focus on 'personal safety' in the Yeovil Express Crimebusters campaign we are concentrating on what men can do to help women feel safer.

PC Brett Gitsham, of Yeovil Police's crime reduction unit, said that if your are walking in the same direction as a woman on her own, do not walk behind her as this may worry her.

"Cross the road and walk on the other side," he said. "This may reassure her that you are not following her.

"Don't sit too close to a woman on her own in a railway carriage or a bus. If you are thinking of chatting to a woman waiting, for example, at a lonely bus stop, remember that she won't know you mean no harm.

"Realise how threatening actions such as staring, whistling, passing comments and jostling can be, particularly when you are one of a group of men."

Men can also help female friends or family members by giving them a lift or walking them home when you can. If you do, make sure they are safely indoors before you leave.

PC Gitsham added: "Men should try to express your feelings clearly, without becoming aggressive. If you feel yourself getting angry, try taking time to cool off.

"Make an agreement with your partner that in such a situation you will leave and return in an hour. You can both use that hour to think about how you feel and why, and then go back and talk more calmly.

"And men should always accept that 'no' to a sexual advance means exactly that."