2008 is no exception and Major Stores, Shops, Pubs, Clubs, Theatre, Cinema, Hotel and Visitor Attractions are making every effort to put an attractive package together to ensure an enjoyable experience to suit most tastes.

Northern Constabulary, Inverness Crime Prevention Panel, Crimestoppers, Street Pastors, Highland Council and other groups are working together to ensure as safe an environment as possible exists during this period and as an ongoing operation under the “Respect” umbrella.

With the Christmas holiday season almost upon us, now is a good time to remind people to take steps to make sure criminals don’t spoil your Christmas.

Criminals take the opportunities afforded them by the extra shopping we do, the hustle and bustle of town centres as we rush around, and 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.

Jim Ferguson – Chair of the Inverness Crime Prevention Panel
talks with the Police out in the City at night.

Commenting on the Winter Festival arrangements, Inverness Area Police Commander, Chief Inspector Julian Innes said:

“I am really pleased that all the partners in Inverness are working together to make Inverness safer and more enjoyable over the winter festival period. Extra Police officers will be on patrol to deter anti social behaviour but for those that chose to commit crime and spoil the enjoyment of others then the message is clear in that it will not be tolerated and policing will be robust.”

Inverness Area Command

Inverness City is the urban centre of Northern Constabulary’s Force area.
The Area Command is responsible for Policing not only the city, but many of the outlying areas such as Beauly, Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus to name but a few.

So what can we do?

Inverness Crime Prevention Panel has applied normal crime prevention advice to Christmas.

The information below is often 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.

Some general points:

You will be safest in bright, well-lit and busy areas.

> Try to look and act confident – look like you know where you are going and walk tall.

> You might like to spread your valuables around your body.
> For example, keep your phone in your bag, your house keys in your trouser pocket and your money in your jacket.

> Try not to be conspicuous about the valuables you are carrying.
> Talking on your mobile phone, carrying a laptop, or showing your friend your new gold ring all show thieves that you are worth robbing.

> When out walking or jogging, you should not listen to a personal stereo through headphones, so you can stay more alert to your surroundings.

Mobile phones

If your phone is stolen, report your number to your network and the police
The handset can now be barred on all networks and will be useless to thieves.

> Register your phone with your network operator.

> Record your registration number (IMEI) and your phone number.
> Keep these in a safe place separate from your phone.
> You can get your IMEI number (15-digit serial number) by keying *#06# into most phones or by looking behind your phone battery.

> Report the number of your stolen phone to your network operator and the police as quickly as you can. It can now be cancelled immediately like a stolen credit card.

> Stay alert your phone is a valuable item. When you are out, be aware of your surroundings and don’t use your phone in crowded areas or where you might feel unsafe.

Credit cards

> Keep your cards separate from your cheque books.

> If your cards are stolen, call your bank or credit card company as soon as possible. > Most banks put the number to call if your cards are stolen on your statement.
They are also often shown on cash machines.

Following the general guidelines for personal safety will help you avoid situations where people may rob you.

Personal Safety: Transport

This section offers some general tips on how to keep yourself safe and secure when you’re making a journey either catching a bus or taxi, or when you’re in the car.

Public transport

As with everything, you are safest where there are other people, and where it is light or well lit.

> Plan your route.

> Try to wait in busy or well-lit areas.

> Sit near other people, the driver if you are on a bus, or near the conductor if you are on a train.

Move if someone makes you feel uncomfortable.

Out Shopping

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.

At Home

Having bought all those wonderful presents, don’t make it easy for someone to steal from your home.
> Keep them out of sight until last thing on Christmas Eve and if you ‘hide’ or store larger items such as bicycles in the shed or outbuildings, make sure they are very secure.
> Now is a good time to check that you know what you have both normally (TV, Video etc) and with the extra presents you have bought.
> You may well find you need to check your insurance to make sure you are covered for the value of goods in your home.
> Take the frame numbers of new cycles and the serial numbers of new electrical equipment for future reference.
> Remember, empty boxes left outside advertise that you have new goods inside – dispose of packing carefully.

> If you go out for the evening – make it look like someone is at home by turning on lights and the radio.
> Don’t leave curtains open so people can see your decorations as potential thieves can see in.
> Be extra careful about locking doors and windows.
> As a fire precaution, don’t leave Christmas lights on in the house whilst you are out.

> If you go away for the holiday period – use an automatic timer for lights and ask a trusted neighbour to watch your home.
> Don’t forget to cancel newspapers and milk if you have them delivered and either redirect your mail through the Post Office or have your neighbour take mail into the house – unopened Christmas cards and mail are a sure sign that a house is empty.

Strangers at the door

> Genuine delivery personnel usually have uniforms and liveried vehicles and should not need to come into your home.
> Charity collectors will have identification and will not be offended if you ask to see it.
> If you are not sure but want to make a donation, ask whether these can be made in other ways, perhaps through a bank – check with your bank before making any payments through the banking system.

Driving

Please do not drink and drive – to do so risks your own life and others and incurs heavy penalties, possibly prison and financially.

General Safety in your car

> Keep your car in good condition and try not to run out of petrol.

> Keep doors locked when driving and keep bags, phones and other valuables out of sight, preferably in the boot.

> Try to park in well-lit or busy areas, and if you park during the day, think about what the area will feel like after dark.

> Do not give lifts to or accept lifts with people you do not know, or do not know well.

> Do not drive if you have been drinking or taking drugs, and do not take a lift from someone who has.

> You may feel more comfortable carrying a mobile phone with you. Try to keep it out of sight, and do not use it while drivingThe Inverness Winter Festival started on 20^th November and will continue until 1^st January.

Inverness Crime Prevention Panel in co-operation with Police, Highland Council, Street Pastors and Crimestoppers wish everyone a very happy festive period.

Finally, anyone with information about any criminal activity is asked to contact Crimestoppers.

The service is designed with confidentiality in mind and information about crime can be given anonymously

Call Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111

Crimestoppers are a Registered Charity.

Have Fun, Be Safe, and please Respect each other during this festive season and at all other times.

Jim Ferguson
Chair - Inverness Crime Prevention Panel
Chair – Crimestoppers Highlands