General Safety Advice

There are no absolute answers in life and each situation you come across can be different. Therefore, the important thing is that you always try to practise safe options and assess the risks with anything you do.

• Remember to plan ahead
• Trust your instincts
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Make a safety plan in case things go wrong
• Always let people know where you are
• There is always someone you can turn to for help

Try Talking To Someone

• If something bad happens to you, upsets you or makes you worried, angry, confused or scared it’s a good idea to talk to someone about it. This applies whether it’s something at school, when you’re out and about or a problem at home.
• There are loads of places and people you can turn to, your friends, your parents, teachers, youth workers, Connexions PA’s, Advice & Support services like Youth Advice Centre or Young People’s Centre or speak to a counsellor. Try not to keep things bottled up!
• It may not feel like it, but talking through your problems with someone can make a difference and help you think through how to sort things out.
• If anything bad ever happens to you or someone you know don’t blame yourself, always report it to the Police (phone 999 in an emergency or 0845 60 70 999 for non-emergencies) or contact the Partnership Community Safety Team on 294646. They will advise you what they can do about it and help support you with any problems. (See the 'Map of Services' for more places you can contact for help and support).

Dealing with Bullying

• Keep a diary of any bullying or harassment you or a friend may be experiencing. This will help build up evidence and information about what has been happening which will help to let others know and help stop it.
• If you are experiencing any kind of bullying, harassment or crime at school your school has a duty under law to help protect you and do something about it.
• If any issue continues to happen outside the school then contact the Partnership Community Safety Team (Tel: 294646) or the Police (Tel: 0845 60 70 999) for more information and advice which can help.

When out and about

• Always let someone know where you are or where you are going. This can be your parents, family or a friend.
• To Stay Safe listen to your instincts about when you feel safe or not, to help you make safe choices. This doesn’t mean spoiling your fun, but looking out for yourself and others around you.
• Keep your mobile phone, mp3 Player or anything valuable well hidden.
• If you are ever worried about walking anywhere, keep your mobile somewhere you can easily get to it. Keep the ringer volume quiet.
• Try and keep a small amount of credit on your mobile or phone card so you can call someone if you need to. If you are really worried go to the nearest shop or garage. Remember, you don’t need money to phone 999 from a phone box.
• Keep your wits about you in risky situations. It’s not worth taking the short cut if it will put you at risk.
• In an emergency situation, make as much noise as you can or shout help or fire to attract someone’s attention. Get away as quick as you can.
• Plan how you’re going to get home before you go out. Make sure you keep aside enough money to get home safely.

For more advice and information about any specific safety issue, such as bullying, crime, domestic abuse, see other pages on this website.