With the Christmas holiday season now upon us, the Gwynedd Community Safety Partnership wants to remind local residents to take extra steps to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time.
Councillor John Wyn Williams, who leads on community safety matters for Gwynedd Council said:
“Christmas and the New Year are a time of celebration and enjoyment. But it is very important that people remember a few key tips about staying safe over the festive period.
“Remember, if you are going out drinking, ensure you stay within groups and arrange a taxi home. Don’t take the risk of drinking and driving – it’s not worth it.”
The Gwynedd Community Safety Partnership is also reminding you to keep yourself and your property safe from criminals throughout the festive season by following some simple crime prevention advice:
Home security:
- Keep doors and windows locked at all times
- Leaving presents under the tree in full view from the outside can attract the attention of thieves – keep them out of sight until Christmas Day
- If you are storing larger items such as bikes in the garden shed, ensure the door is locked
- Make a note of the frame numbers of new cycles and the serial numbers of new electrical equipment for future reference. Also, mark valuables with your house number and postcode
- Leave a light on a timer if you’re going away for Christmas or if you’re out for the evening
- Remember – empty boxes left outside advertise that you have new goods inside – dispose of packaging carefully
Out shopping:
- Don’t leave handbags on unattended trolleys or pushchairs
- Wear bag straps across your body and ensure the zip is closed
- Keep purses/wallets close to your body and don’t carry too much cash
- Be aware of who is around you at cash points
- Keep cheque books and cards separately
Protect your vehicle:
- Never leave anything on display inside your vehicle
- Keep all windows and doors locked
- Use extra security such as steering wheel locks and/or alarms
- Park in a garage if you’ve got one at home
- When out and about, park in a well-lit open area
Protect yourself
- Be aware of your alcohol consumption – it impairs your judgment and can reduce your safety
- Take care of your belongings properly to avoid getting into an awkward and problematic situation
- Trust your instincts. If you don’t feel comfortable in a situation, leave it
- Try to avoid putting yourself in a situation where you are relying on other people; they might not be there when you need them
- On a night out always keep an eye on your drink and don’t accept drinks from strangers
- Think carefully before inviting someone into your home or before going into someone else’s home
- Ensure your friends are aware of where you are and where you are going
- Make sure you plan in advance how you are going to get home. The ideal plan is to book your cab in advance or, if you have the number of a licensed cab company with you, call from the party before leaving the venue
- Gwynedd and Anglesey Councils’ Cab Safe scheme will provide people with quick and easy access to local licensed taxi firms. Anyone looking for a safe ride home can text the word “CAB” to 83222 and they should receive a text back with numbers for three of the nearest licensed taxi companies
- Always try to share a cab with a friend
- If using public transport, have your ticket, pass or change ready in your hand so that your wallet is out of sight
- Always wait for the bus or train in a well-lit place near other people if possible and try to arrange for someone to meet you at the bus stop or station
- If a bus is empty or it is after dark, stay on the lower deck as near as possible to the driver
- Whenever possible, walk with a friend or stay near a group of people
- Always take the route you know best and stick to well lit, busy streets
- Never accept a lift with a stranger or someone you don’t know very well even if you are wet, tired or very late
- Avoid danger spots like quiet or badly lit alleyways or isolated car parks
- Do not forget to take your mobile phone with you. Remember to take it fully charged and with sufficient credit
- If possible carry a personal alarm and know how to use it to shock and disorientate an assailant so that you can get away
For police ring 101:
Contacting the police has never been easier. Simply dial 101 for all non emergency calls. 101, which is the non-emergency line for the whole of Wales was launched back in April 2009. This line should be used to contact the police about a general enquiry or to report a non emergency crime such as anti social behaviour, harassment or intimidation, drunken or rowdy behaviour, and dangerous driving.
999 should still be used if there is a crime in progress; violence is being used or threatened; an offender has been recently disturbed or made off; there has been a road accident where people are injured or the road is blocked.
We are now approaching the busiest time of year so if your call isn’t an emergency please dial 101, and keep the 999 line free for someone in urgent need.
The Gwynedd Community Safety Partnership is a statutory, multi agency partnership that brings together a number of agencies including Gwynedd Council, North Wales Police (Western Division) North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Probation Wales, The Police Authority, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and a host of other voluntary and statutory agencies with the aim of making Gwynedd a safer place to live, work and visit.
