Lessons to be learned on safety
The exam results are in and many young people will soon be heading off to universities and colleges for the first time.
Police Scotland are working with universities and colleges nationally to launch the Student Safety campaign and promote key messages to help students feel safe as term time comes to a start.
Home/property and safety: Take care when arranging accommodation – don’t leave yourself open to fraud and find you’ve nowhere to live when you arrive. Properly research any potential property.
Think about your level of security – are there working locks on doors and windows? Ensure you close them every time you go out.
Record details of all your valuables and mobile property, including phones, laptops, cameras and tablets at www.immobilise.com.
Online safety: Always use passwords or PINS on mobile phones, tablets, laptops and desktops. Use privacy settings on social networking sites and think carefully about who you make an online friend.
What goes online stays online – don’t leave yourself open to criminal charges or vulnerable to blackmail.
Think carefully about what you’re saying and the pictures you are posting on social networking sites.
Party/out and about safety: Stick with friends and don’t leave parties or nights out with strangers – if you’re going home by taxi, call in advance and book one.
Be sensible about how much alcohol you drink – a drunk person is a far easier target for criminals, especially at places like cash machines.
Don’t take drugs or new psychoactive substances (so-called ‘legal highs’) – they are illegal and you don’t know what’s in them, so why risk your life?
Locally, we have received complaints about young people engaging in street drinking or vandalism at the Millheugh Pass, Larkhall.
Safety concerns have also been raised regarding persons climbing on the scaffolding there.
We have been working with local elected representatives and SEPA and will be carrying out additional patrols, taking a zero-tolerance approach to any instances of anti-social behaviour.
Likewise at Chatelherault Country Park, where similar complaints have been received.
A smashed window was reported in Firbank Avenue. The incident occurred about 10pm on Sunday, August 6.
There have been previous similar vandalisms in recent months and we advise local residents to report any suspicious activity to the police.
We are also appealing for information in relation to a breakin to a care home at Hunthill Road, Blantyre, which occurred between 9.30pm on August 7 and 7.15am on August 8. Property, including a white Ford Zetec, was stolen.
If you have any information you feel should be reported or information on any of the crimes previously detailed please contact the police using 101, or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.