Enjoy a safe festive period this year

Campaign to launch at the festive lights switch on Friday

WITH the festive season nearly underway, Hinckley and Bosworth’s Community Safety Partnership are urging people to keep safe during the Christmas and New Year season.

This year’s annual campaign was launched on Friday 22 November at Hinckley’s Christmas lights switch on and members of the Partnership will be on hand to give out crime prevention advice and personal safety information.

This will include helpful tips to prevent vehicle crime and burglary, how to protect yourself online and tips for sensible drinking.

Children can have their photo taken with Woody Nickit, the Partnership’s animated character.

The Partnership will be raising awareness and giving out key messages throughout December on crime prevention and other tissues that affect our communities during this time of year such as domestic abuse, being considerate of neighbours if planning a party, looking out for elderly, frail or vulnerable neighbours, donating to food banks, wellbeing tips, buying safely online and getting home safely after a night out.

The Partnership will also be encouraging people to drink sensibly and working with young people in schools and colleges highlighting to them the risks of substance misuse and give them advice on personal safety.

Streetvibe Young People’s Service will be on hand during the Christmas lights switch on weekend providing detached youth work in the town centre.

Taxi marshals will also be working in the town centre on key nights over Christmas to ensure that people waiting for a taxi get home safely.

At this time of year residents are also being urged to take some simple steps to protect their vehicles by:

■ Not leaving valuables and shopping in the car on view

■ Not leaving a car unattended and the engine running while defrosting the windscreen

■ Always lock your car and shut the windows even if only leaving the car for a short while.

Rachel Burgess, Community Safety Manager at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council said “We want everyone to have a happy and enjoyable Christmas and the Community Safety Partnership team have lots of advice to help you to enjoy your time safely.

“Taking a few precautions and thinking of others can help us all to enjoy our celebrations and to take care of ourselves and those around us. With a few simple tips you can also help your friends and family to celebrate sensibly, and the team look forward to talking to you on what I am sure will be a very busy evening.”

To report a crime or suspicious activity people are urged to call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency where life is in danger or crime is in progress always call 999.

For more information on this year’s campaign call the Community Safety Unit on Tel. 01455 238141 or visit www. hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk in the run up to Christmas.