As above i've been in a few sticky situations and the decision to leg it as fast as my little legs will carry me has proved to be a good choice. Shouting and generally behaving like a loon also can confuse and disorientate, it worked for me when someone decided to get in the back of my car, i think it was a mistake on his behalf but didn't plan on asking what his intentions were as i was in a bad part of town.

Some dubious 'ladies' of the street (pretending to offer me a good time) were all over me in Prague trying to find my money/phone. I was drunk, but realised what they were doing and a quick loud blast of sweary bad Czech and a firm hand on the wallet shifted them and they disappeared into the shadows as quickly as they appeared..