Keys, money, phone, plans to get home is just one of the messages that Swindon Community Safety Partnership will be promoting this Christmas. This simple message which was used to great success by Northumbria Police is aimed at those who will be out and about celebrating the festive season.
The simple steps that people can take to avoid their Christmas becoming one to forget will be the focus of a campaign by Swindon’s Community Safety Partnership this year.
Throughout December and early January, the partnership’s members will be running a series of events urging people to ‘be sensible, be safe’, to keep crime and anti-social behaviour to a minimum over the festive period.
The safety campaign will run from 5 December to 14 January and will involve Swindon Borough Council, NHS Swindon, Wiltshire Police, and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, with a major event involving more organisations in the town centre on Saturday 10 December.
Richard Palusinski, Head of the Swindon Community Safety Partnership, said: “Christmas is a time when people relax, and we hope they do, but not so much that they give criminals easy pickings, or they put themselves at risk.
“Remembering a few simple but important tips can make sure that the Christmas season is the enjoyable experience it ought to be.”
Swindon Community Safety Partnership is urging people who plan to go out and celebrate to remember four key things before they go out for the evening.
Keys, Money, Phone, Plans to get home
- Pre-book a taxi - make sure you know how you’re getting home.
- Look out for your friends and arrange a safe meeting place in case you get separated.
- Save an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number in your phone.
- Stash some cash in case you lose your purse.
- Know your limits and always stay in control
Tips to keep property safe include not leaving presents on display in the car or at home, security marking all valuables, and disposing of packaging and boxes carefully to avoid advertising to thieves what new items are potentially available to steal. The Fire Service is reminding people not to take risks with candles or flammable wrapping.
Posters and postcards with advice to householders, car owners and shoppers are being displayed at key sites around the town centre. The police will be increasing visible patrols in the town centre, supported by the Street Pastors.