IT'S all about being street-wise. That is the message to Southampton residents from urban survival specialist Lee Morrison, who is supporting the Daily Echo's Be Safe, Be Sensible campaign.

Lee, 35, from the Polygon, Southampton, is an expert in what he calls "self-protection".

He explained: "It's all about pre-empting things and spotting situations before they happen. That is why I call it 'self-protection' rather than 'self-defence'.

"It's important to realise that attackers are looking for a victim, someone who will not fight back.

"What I teach is what has been applied in real situations."

London-born Lee runs his own self-protection company Urban Survival, which teaches essential street awareness skills and self-defence.

Drawing his expertise from 20 years in various martial arts and ten years of security work, Lee takes classes of people aged 16 to 54 at St Mary's Parish Hall, St Mary's, and at Trimwise Health Club, Briton Street.

He said: "Traditional martial art won't always prepare you for the streets. There is a large physical element but we also focus on dialogue, aggression and being street-wise.

"We teach people to avoid dark alleyways or rough pubs and to spot possible attack situations such as being asked for the time or directions.

"I also teach about the emotions of being attacked and how to cope with the fear."

The Daily Echo's safety campaign aims to reduce attacks and sexual assaults across Hampshire.

Piloted in Fareham where seven women fell victim to a serious sex attack in just five weeks, the campaign has now been extended to the whole of the county.