Stay safe this Christmas
Published 23 Dec 2011 09:30
PEOPLE across Renfrewshire are being urged to stay safe this festive period with help from a one-stop-shop for information and advice.
The Community Safety Shop has opened in the Paisley Centre and will run until Friday December 23 from 9.30am until 4.30pm every day.
Around 20 partner organisations have signed up to take part and have staff on hand at different times to provide information, advice and act as a point of contact for members of the public.
The shop will be used to invite people to sign up for Renfrewshire's Ready for Winter campaign and also marks the start of additional safety measures being introduced for the festive period.
Renfrewshire Wardens Service, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Strathclyde Police and Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership will all be on hand.
There will also be officers from Renfrewshire Council's Trading Standards and Antisocial Behaviour Investigations (ASIST) teams.
Renfrewshire Council's Community Safety spokesperson, Councillor Kenny MacLaren, said: "Throughout the year we work closely with our community safety partners to ensure that people in Renfrewshire feel safe.
"This is particularly important over the festive period when unfortunately the actions of a few can ruin things for others."
There will be additional and late night patrols in Johnstone and Renfrew town centres by both the wardens and Strathclyde Police.
Inspector Joe Thomson of Strathclyde Police said: "As at any time of year, we're here to keep people safe and whilst we want everyone to enjoy the festivities, we would also urge everyone to take responsibility for their own safety too.
"Increased levels of alcohol make people more vulnerable, cause them to take risks they would not normally consider and increase the chance of being a victim of crime.
"We have seen significant reductions in violent crime in Renfrewshire in recent years.
"However we are not complacent and in particular at this time of year we will be working extra hard to have a highly visible presence in town centres and hotspot areas in order to deter those intent on violent crime and antisocial behaviour."
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue's Area Commander of Renfrewshire, John Ironside, added: "We are delighted to be working with our Community Planning partners to improve Community Safety in Renfrewshire.
"Last year we attended 250 house fires over the holiday period where six people died and 68 people were injured. Two of those fatal house fires occurred in Renfrewshire.
"There are simple steps that any householder can take to reduce the risk of fire.
"Take care to put cigarettes out properly, and don't cook if you are under the influence of alcohol.
"But the most fundamental step that anyone can take is to make sure you have a working smoke alarm in your home. If fire does break out it could be your only chance of waking up."
Strathclyde Fire & Rescue will supply and fit a long life smoke alarm free of charge as part of the Home Fire Safety Visit process.
Their call centre which can be reached on 0800 0731 999 is open 24 hours a day, and they will arrange to fit a smoke alarm, and offer home safety advice, at a time that suits you.
And make sure you have a note of some other useful phone numbers including;
Strathclyde Police 0141 532 2000; Renfrewshire Council Anti-social Behaviour Helpline 0800 169 1283; Renfrewshire Wardens Service 0141 889 3499 and Crimestoppers 0800 555
111.
This article appeared in The Gazette 23 Dec 11
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