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Dear Residents An update from your local Neighbourhood Police Team. CRIME No crime of note this week. We have identified an offender from CCTV who stole a bike outside the Gym on the Alvis Retail Park. The investigation can now be progressed and the offender dealt with. WHAT’s BEEN HAPPENING The National Public Confidence in Policing Survey is now live: The survey can be accessed by logging onto your WMNow account. This is a three year study in collating the communities views and experiences on crime, anti-social behaviour and general policing across the UK. You do not have to fill in the survey in one go, you can safe your progress and go back to it at your leisure. BACK TO SCHOOL… The following advice is regarding pupils returning to school and those that are just starting secondary school…. Sending your child back to school is both an exciting and busy time. If your child is heading to secondary school, now is the time to have a conversation with your child about protecting their valuables, travelling safely to and from school, and staying safe online.
Your local police officers will be on patrol around schools, commuting routes, in greenspaces, and on public transport making sure everyone has a safe return to school. To help give your child the best start to the new academic year, read through our top tips: Discuss safe routes and travel plans Plan the route: Walk or drive the route with your child before school starts. Point out safe places they can go if they need help. Turn on location-sharing on ‘Find My Friends’ or download the Life360 appBuddy system: Encourage your child to walk to and from school with a friend or a group whenever possible.Avoid shortcuts: Teach them to avoid shortcuts through alleys, parks, or isolated areas, especially as the evenings get darker.Public transportation: If they take the bus or train, remind them to stay in well-lit areas and to avoid distractions like using their phone or listening to music with both earbuds in. Do they know a back-up route in case their usual bus or train is cancelled?Talk to them about what to do in an emergency: Stranger danger: Remind your child never to talk to or accept rides from strangers. Have a code word that only you and they know, which someone can use if you need to send someone else to pick them up.Emergency contacts: Make sure your child knows how to reach you and another trusted adult in case of an emergency.Let your child know they can talk to the police if they ever feel unsafe or concerned. Remind them that they can always call 999 in an emergency.Secure their valuables: Label personal items: Clearly label backpacks, headphones, and other items with your child’s name. This can deter thieves and help recover lost items.Limit valuables: Encourage your child not to bring valuable items like jewellery, expensive coats, smart phones or large amounts of money to school.Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your child’s phone. If it is stolen, 2FA makes it harder for criminals to get access to their apps, cloud storage, and photos.Get to know their new school: If your child is heading to secondary school, familiarise yourself and your child with their teachers, pastoral team, and school security staff. This helps build a sense of community and security. Every secondary school in the West Midlands has assigned police schools officer.Report concerns: If your child mentions anything suspicious or concerning, take it seriously and report it to the school or to us online.Online Safety Using social media mindfully: Remind your child not to share their school routine or location online. Ensure their social media accounts are private and monitored.Cyberbullying awareness: Talk to your child about cyberbullying and encourage them to report any online harassment. You can report hate crime at our third party reporting centres here.Communicate regularly Check-ins: Get a good routine going for checking in after school, whether by a phone call, text, or a quick conversation when they get home.Stay open: Keep an open line of communication with your child about their day-to-day experiences, any concerns they may have, and what to do if they feel unsafe.Talking to your child this week, and throughout the year, can help ensure your child has a safe and successful school year. We know sometime it can be difficult to talk so make sure you set aside enough time, or use videos or news stories to start the conversation. Enjoy your week ahead Regards Sherbourne Police Team | 
