In Manchester, police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and councils are using social media to direct young people to the Safe4Summer website. The Safe4Summer campaign is all about providing diversionary activities to prevent antisocial behaviour (ASB) over the summer holidays, and by visiting the website youngsters can find out about a host of fun activities on offer where they live. Those aged five to 16 can also enter a competition to win an iPad, which closes on August 31.
The website covers personal safety, water and children’s safety, and what to do about neighbour disputes.
The site gives advice on fire safety too, as well as tips on how to avoid hazards around the countryside and open water, and a series of tweets on these topics can be read by following #Safe4Summer on Twitter.
Before schools broke up for the holidays, emergency services gave safety talks to pupils and reminded them of the consequences of ASB, and police are maintaining a strong presence in nuisance hotspots over summer. Details of anyone causing trouble will be passed on to councils’ neighbourhood teams so they can intervene if necessary.
Underage drinking remains a significant cause of ASB, so officers will seize illegally purchased alcohol, work with Trading Standards to target premises selling to under 18s, and take firm action against adults who buy drink for young people.
Police say that they will also crack down on the illegal use of off-road motorbikes, which tends to be more of a problem over summer, and offenders risk having their bikes seized or even crushed.
In relation to neighbour disputes, police are urging residents to call 101 before things get out of hand, and officers will liaise with landlords or housing associations where appropriate to see if further action needs to be taken.
Sergeant Tariq Butt, who oversees the Safe4Summer campaign for GMP, said: “Safe4Summer aims to provide young people with enough activities to banish boredom completely, and offers advice about personal safety on the street, in the countryside and near open water. It also promotes messages about social responsibility, as there are times when what appears to be harmless fun can be seen differently by other people, and could have consequences if it gets out of hand.
“The vast majority of young people are law-abiding and socially responsible, but I would remind them that it’s not only their summer holiday, as others may also be off enjoying activities or chilling in parks. Finally, I would appeal to parents and guardians to take an active interest in where their children are and what they are doing, as everyone should be able to enjoy the summer break in peace.”
Visit http://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/safe4summer/.
