The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is issuing a warning to the public to be vigilant as complaints are on the increase by persons either giving and receiving rides from unknown individuals. Photo: VINO/File

Within the past several weeks, persons have reported being assaulted either physically or sexually, or have had items stolen from their vehicles after giving or receiving rides from unknown persons.

Superintendent in charge of Operations St. Clair Amory noted the needed for persons particularly lone women to exercise even more caution.

“Women in particular are vulnerable when they either accept a ride in a vehicle with or provide a ride to a male stranger. The concealed and inescapable setting of a moving vehicle provides an ideal environment for crimes of violence to take place especially towards lone women. Therefore it is very important to be selective on who you give a ride or the vehicle you get into. Visitors to the Territory as well as minors must also exercise caution,” the Superintendent said.

Similarly, he noted that while transporting unknown persons, valuables should be kept in view, on the front seat or in the console, to ensure their protection from theft.