KUALA LUMPUR - Women revellers planning to celebrate New Year's Eve have been cautioned to be vigilant.

Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said it was important for women to keep safe when going out with friends.

"An act of crime is an act of opportunity. We suggest women go out in big groups and look out for each other at all times," he said yesterday.

He said it was very likely that abusers and criminals would lurk around in clubs or public places looking for victims.

"We hope ladies will be extra conscious of their surroundings and be mindful of strangers.

"It is common to hear cases of drinks being spiked without the person's knowledge. Women must always take care of one another," he said.

He advised women to store the contact number of police stations in their handphones.

"It is essential to know who to contact or where the nearest police station is," he said.

All Women's Action Society (Awam) programme manager Betty Yeoh said it was important for men to respect women when they interact in public.

"If a woman feels that she is being harassed or humiliated, she must immediately speak out or alert the authorities," she said.

Women's Aid Organisation executive director Ivy Josiah said men should take responsibility.

"If they make the decision not to behave badly and choose not to harass women, there will be no problem," she said.