This is just a stray thought I had earlier; I think it would be fairly effective for most groups though it does carry some risk. So you want to get from A to B though this root is dangerous and you are very likely to come across groups looking to steal from you.

What I would do is carry around a messenger style bag, inside have anything you need hidden like a weapon and supplies etc. Over the top though put tons of leaflet type pieces of paper. Walk around in plain sight and hold a load of these leaflets so it is obvious to others on the street. If you get confronted quickly greet them and say you are trying to get lots of people to meet at a specified location and handing out leaflets with details on where to go.

Now if all goes well they would take the leaflet with the details as it offers them an opportunity to go to this gathering whether it is to steal, trade or socialise. They would also see you as much less of a threat and unworthy of robing because most would assume the bag just contains worthless pieces of paper and you are organising something that offers them far greater reward.

I do not actually believe I will ever be in one of these survival situations but I find it interesting to think about anyway. Sometimes remaining hidden is not an option, I think this is the least dangerous way of transporting supplies with the least amount of risk on foot.

as a fellow brit i'd say never reveal your hand, even in a true shtf scenario firearms are going to be rare so actual interpersonal action will be quite regular rather than someone shooting you from 1/2 a mile away and then looting your corpse like what would probably happen across the pond

You could always team up with a female and have them lie on the road pretending to be injured somewhere when strangers are about.

They may come to check on her to help out... or worse.


And then BOOM from out of nowhere you jump out and shoot or beat the crap out of the strangers and steal all of there stuff, maybe even eat them if you have turn to cannabilism by this point.

Better yet, make sure the leaflet offers something that thugs could not resist (handing them out only to robbers and such) then have an ambush waiting to take all of them out. Like those police stings where they offer beer to people with warrants.