Help protect our children

Plea to keep eyes open in summer

Residents in Perth and Kinross are being encouraged to keep their eyes open for children at risk during the summer holidays.

With the schools finishing up yesterday, members of the public have been asked to stay extra vigilant to help protect vulnerable kids.

The plea has come from Perth and Kinross Child Protection Committee.

It is getting behind Child Protection Committees Scotland’s Eyes Open campaign which is aimed at raising awareness of the important role everyone has to keep children safe from harm in the holidays.

Perth and Kinross Child Protection Committee’s independent chair Bill Atkinson said: “Perth and Kinross children are about to be away from the usual school routine for a few weeks.

“For most local children this is a time of year filled with fun and free time, but for some families the summer holidays is a time of increased stress and pressure.

“It is at these times that children are more at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and harm. In some cases, children are not supervised or cared for adequately, others might even experience neglect.

“By keeping our eyes open and our other senses tuned in, we might spot the telltale signs that a child is at risk. These signs include seeing children wandering about unsupervised, children who are very dirty or unfed, or young people going into ‘party’ flats who may be exploited. However, spotting the signs isn’t enough.

“If something doesn’t seem quite right for a child, or a family of children, it’s better if you see something to say something than do nothing.”

It is hoped the campaign will see residents take a more active, watchful role in protecting children in the area, and take action if they’re concerned for a child’s wellbeing.

Anyone with concerns about a child or children can contact Perth and Kinross Council’s child protection duty team on 01738 476768 (open 24 hours) or the police on 101. If a child is in immediate danger, dial 999.