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Back to school

Dear Resident

 

๐Ÿ“ข Back to School โ€“ Crime Prevention and Safety Advice๐Ÿ“ข

 

With the summer holidays coming to an end and children across Northamptonshire preparing to return to school, I want to take this opportunity to share some important crime prevention and personal safety advice with parents, carers, and young people.

This time of year can be busy, with changes to daily routines, new journeys to school, and extra traffic on the roads. By taking some simple steps, we can all help keep our children, our homes, and our communities safe.

 

๐Ÿš—๐Ÿ‘ฎ On the School Run

  • ๐Ÿšฆ Parking safely โ€“ Please avoid blocking driveways, pavements, and pedestrian crossings when dropping off or picking up children. Poor parking can put children at risk and create tension in the community.
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Vehicle security โ€“ Never leave bags, laptops, or mobile phones on display in your car. Opportunistic thieves may be on the lookout at busy school times. Always lock your vehicle, even if youโ€™re only stepping away for a minute.
  • โฐ Plan ahead โ€“ If youโ€™re in a rush, it can be tempting to cut corners. Allow extra time for your journey so you can park responsibly and safely.
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  • ๐ŸŽ’๐Ÿ‘Ÿ For Children Travelling to and from School

  • ๐Ÿ›ฃ๏ธ Stick to safe routes โ€“ Encourage your child to walk on well-used streets that are well lit, especially during darker mornings and evenings later in the term.
  • ๐Ÿ‘ญ Walk with friends โ€“ Travelling in groups is always safer. Where possible, arrange for children to walk with classmates or siblings.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Keep valuables hidden โ€“ Remind children to keep mobile phones, headphones, and other valuables out of sight when not in use.
  • ๐Ÿ‘€ Be alert โ€“ Encourage awareness of surroundings. Children should trust their instincts and move towards a safe place if they feel uncomfortable.
  • ๐Ÿšซ๐Ÿš— Stranger safety โ€“ Remind children never to accept lifts, gifts, or invitations from strangers.
  • ๐Ÿ ๐Ÿ” Keeping Your Home Secure

     

  • ๐Ÿšช Lock up properly โ€“ Make sure doors and windows are locked before leaving the house for the school run or work. It only takes a moment for a thief to take advantage of an open window.
  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Use alarms and security measures โ€“ If you have a house alarm, set it whenever you leave home. Simple deterrents like lights on timers can also make a big difference.
  • ๐Ÿ‘ฆ๐Ÿ‘ง Children at home alone โ€“ If older children return home before adults, remind them not to open the door to unexpected callers and to lock up behind them.
  • ๐Ÿšฒโœจ Cycling Safety

     

  • ๐Ÿ”’ Protect your bike โ€“ If your child cycles to school, ensure they use a good quality lock and park in designated cycle racks.
  • ๐Ÿ“ Register your bike โ€“ Consider registering it online or marking it with a UV pen to help recovery if stolen.
  • ๐Ÿฆบ Safety gear โ€“ Helmets, lights, and reflective clothing are essential for visibility and safety.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑโ˜Ž๏ธ Stay Connected

  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ Agree on safe contact methods with your child so they can let you know if plans change.
  • ๐Ÿก Encourage them to know their address and a parent/carerโ€™s phone number in case of emergencies.
  • ๐Ÿš“ Teach them how to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 (non-emergency) or 999 in an emergency.
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    โœ… By working together and following these simple precautions, we can help ensure a safe and smooth return to school for everyone in our community.

    ๐Ÿ™ Thank you for your support, and please continue to report any suspicious behaviour to Northamptonshire Police.

    ๐Ÿ“šโœจ Stay safe, and best wishes to all pupils starting or returning to school this September!


    Reply to this message

    Message Sent By
    Dan Freeman
    (Northamptonshire Police, Police Community Support Officer, NN8 Northampton Kingsthorpe Headlands Boothville)
    Neighbourhood Alert