YOUNG PEOPLE

Over the last few years, the Safer Runnymede partnership has installed games areas and skate parks Runnymede Borough Council and funded youth clubs www.surreycc.gov.uk to help young people have safe places to hang out. We will soon be installing more shelters in parks so that young people have a place to meet outdoors which gives them some protection from bad weather.

Every step you take

We'll be watching you, so you so feel safer walking home after a party or going to a friend's house.  Most public areas benefit from monitoring and protection every minute of every day.  If you feel threatened for any reason when you are out and about, don't forget that you can also use one of the help points to make instant contact with our/the Runnymede Borough Council control centre, day or night.

They are located in:

• Station Road, Addlestone
• Guildford Street, Chertsey
• Gogmore Park, Chertsey
• High Street, Egham
• Waspe Farm, Egham
• Chertsey Meads entrance barrier
• 5 in the grounds of St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey

HOW SAFE ARE YOU?

•  Tell parents where you will be, and how to contact you if possible
• Go out accompanied with friends, especially at night, and come back with them
• If going far, and on your own, get a lift or taxi there and back
• If your lift back doesn't show up on time, find out why. Ask if you can stay a little longer until it does, or phone a taxi
• Don't take a lift with someone who's been drinking, or with someone you've just met
• When looking for a casual job, like babysitting, do it through family or friends. Be careful about answering advertisements - if you do answer an advert, go with a friend or family member on the first day
• If you are babysitting, make sure you have the number of the child's parents. If anyone comes to the house, don't let them in
• On a paper round, never go into stranger's house or take a lift
  (Additional tips from RHUL safety booklet)
• if you are out on your own, cover up expensive jewellery and don't carry large amounts of cash or important documents, but ensure you always
• do not use a personal stereo/MP3 player when walking on the street, you are less aware of those around you and of traffic
• if someone tries to grab your possessions, do not resist but try to get a good look at them, and call 999 as soon as you can
• on public transport, sit as close as possible to the driver and do not sit in an empty train compartment
• on station platforms, remember that CCTV cameras are constantly monitored by Runnymede Control Centre so if you are in trouble they should be able to see you and send help (Egham, Chertsey, Addlestone, Virginia Water)
• do not accept drinks from strangers and don't leave your drink unattended, if you feel odd and know you are not drunk, your drink may have been spiked, if so you have less than twenty minutes to get to a place of safety so ask a friend or bar staff to call someone for you.

High Sheriffs Youth Awards (HSYA)

The aim of these awards is "helping young people make Surrey safer", providing financial awards of up to £1,000 for projects that support activities for young people, help to reduce and prevent crime, tackle bad behaviour in the community, make everyone feel safer, understand how crime affects victims and communities, persuades other to care about their local area and encourages respect for other people's property. In 2007 the scheme provided awards totalling more than £45,000.

Further information is available on the HSYA's website.



ShadowsCS.co.uk - Crimestoppers for Young people  www.shadowcs.co.uk

ShadowCS.co.uk is a resource for young people to discuss crime, seek advice and pass on information about crime anonymously via the secure, encrypted Giving Information Form for young people