With the Christmas holiday season almost upon us, now is a good time to remind people to take steps to make sure your Christmas isn’t spoiled by criminals. This year we want you to have fun whilst out shopping or on your night out.
Operation Respect initiative was created to engender respect for each other and for other’s property all year round, but especially during this festive period.
With the advent of the Winter Festival and the anticipated increase in numbers of visitors to the City Centre the Council, Northern Constabulary and Inverness BID agreed to formulate a plan which would draw in support from a wide cross section of the Community. Partner organisations include:
Crimestoppers
Scottish Licensed Trade Association
Inverness Bed and Breakfast Association
Highland Youth Forum
The Street Pastors
Inverness Crime Prevention Panel
Operation Respect allows the Partners to link resources to enhance the amenity of the City Centre and provide (via the Nightrider Bus scheme – run with the help of Stagecoach) another option for a safe passage home for visitors to the City’s night time economy.
Street Pastors play a large part in the town centre providing an invaluable service every weekend and are on the streets until the wee hours, assisting those who may have problems.
Jim Ferguson Chairman of Crimestoppers Highlands and Islands, spent an evening with the Street Pastors just recently observing how the volunteers work and said:
“I was very impressed to see the Street Pastors in action as they went out to help those on the streets in many different ways. They were well received and their gentle approach seemed to calm certain situations down that may otherwise have ended in violence. Their outreach and care was inspiring and it was a pleasure to have been invited out to see how they operated.”
So what can we do to make sure we have fun and remain safe?
The Inverness Crime Prevention Panel have applied normal crime prevention advice to Christmas and this is common sense, but you might overlook it in your haste to get everything ready.
Out on the town
With office parties and general Christmas celebrations, pubs, restaurants and other venues are often crowded. Don’t leave bags over the back of your chair and keep wallets and purses close to your body to make it more difficult for the pickpocket. Busy places make it easier for the sneak thief, so be alert at all times.
Make prior arrangements as to how you will get home. Avoid any potential disturbances on the street. Stay with friends if you can. Make sure someone knows where you are going and what time you will be back.
Don’t drink too much – you could become a target for thieves.
Take precautions against Drink spiking – Keep your glass with you, never leaving it unattended and keep it covered.
Nightrider Bus Service
For the second year Operation Respect will be providing a FREE Nightrider bus service for home travel after midnight, enabling you to come into the city for an evening out without taking a car.
Please do not drink and drive – to do so risks your own life and others and incurs heavy penalties, possibly prison and financially.
The late night buses will be running during the festive season free of charge. The service will run between 11.30pm until 4am.
Bus time tables will be on display in Pubs, Clubs and on the Buses themselves.
Please make good use of this service.
Shopping
Criminals take the opportunities afforded them by the extra shopping we do. They prey on the opportunity created by the hustle and bustle of town centres as we rush around and try to take advantage of the value of the goods we buy as presents and store in our homes until the big day.
We might also be more trusting and generous at Christmas when requests for charity are made, giving the unscrupulous a chance to collect for their own causes.
When the shops are crowded, the pickpocket has more chance to steal from you. If you can’t arrange to shop during less busy times, make sure you stay alert and be extra careful with your wallet or purse. If you have too many bags you will be too busy trying to hold on to these to be aware of anyone stealing from you.
You could try to make smaller shopping trips rather than do it all at once and carry too much. Have your purse/wallet close to your body and don’t carry too much cash. The same applies to travelling on crowded buses or trains. If you travel by car, make sure you park in a well-lit area, lock all doors and windows and do not leave presents in view.
Try not to return to your car to leave purchases in the boot before continuing with your shopping trip as thieves may well watch car parks for just such a chance. Arrange to collect heavy items from stores when you have finished all your shopping. Keep your chequebook and cheque card separately.
Blue Light Discos are Proving to be Major Attraction
These popular events have been a great success with the next being on 20th December. This next disco will be a special night called a Silent Disco and held at the Ironworks when the party revellers will have the unique experience of have music transmitted wirelessly to headphones.
The evenings have been generously supported by Next, Tesco and Mcdonalds with generous Raffle Prizes.
Liz Gilchrist, Vice Chair of Inverness Crime Prevention added:
“I was really pleased at the support received from the four national companies who have businesses based in Inverness, particularly Tesco who have been proactive supporting this type of partnership initiative throughout the country and encouraging safer neighbourhoods”.
Jim Ferguson Chair of Crimestoppers Highlands and Islands also thanked the companies for their generous support and said:
“I hope the Disco’s go from strength to strength as it is the type of event which is to be encouraged, proving that a fun evening could be had without alcohol”.
Steven Kerr of Inverness Business Improvement District and newly appointed Chairman of the Blue Light Steering Group said:
“I was delighted with the success of our events and we are working to encourage even more young people to attend future Blue Light Discos. Steven went on to say that visits would be made to all the Senior Schools in the area to promote future events to the 13 -16 year age groups.
Next event, Silent Disco: 20th December, Ironworks at 7.00pm
Ticket Price: £4.00 or £3 (with a voucher from bebo/facebook)
Includes FREE Face Art and FREE Raffle Ticket.
If you purchase your entrance ticket in advance it will allow you free bus transport – Just show your ticket to the Driver.
BUY ONLINE:http://www.ironworksvenue.com or Contact 0871 789 4173
Left to right:
Steven Kerr – Chair of Blue Light. Pam Kennedy – Inverness BID.
Rhona Brindle – Community Champion – Tesco. Jim Ferguson – Chair of Inverness Crime Prevention Panel.
Crimestoppers in co-operation with Inverness Crime Prevention Panel, Police and Highland Council, wish everyone a very happy festive period.
Finally, anyone should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
if they have information about any criminal activity and wish to remain anonymous.
(Crimestoppers is a Registered Charity.)
Inverness Crime Prevention Panel website for further information: http://www.icpp.co.uk
Have Fun – Be Safe!
Chair: Jim Ferguson
