What could she do?

Alone and with no form of defence available to her by decree of the state this poor woman was faced with a simple choice. Allow her property to be taken from her with no questions asked or try to get it back. Retrospectively she made the 'wrong' choice but it was a choice that countless other women would make.

Of course, some readers might suggest that a third choice was available to the young lady. She could have marched off to the nearest police station and lodged a complaint. With luck she would have eventually received a crime number which would have facilitated in her insurance claim for the stolen lighter. Eventually.

Never walk home alone, they will say and it seems like good advice, but what is the real story behind it? The streets are not safe, you are not permitted to carry any item for self defence purposes and we cannot protect you. Bring a friend or you're on your own.