COINS’ GIVE-AWAY IS LATEST CRIME PREVENTION INITIATIVE
August 02 2007
Police and members of the Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership will be giving away trolley and locker ‘coins’ at Gloucester Fire Station’s open day on Sunday.
The coins, featuring the CDRP logo and website address, are attached to a key ring and the aim is that they will help people avoid having to get their purses out in public places such as supermarket car parks.
Gloucester police’s crime reduction officer, PC Kevin Ireland said: "The trolley coins are part of the CDRP’s fight against crime. The chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is low but thieves are opportunists and when someone is distracted in a supermarket car park looking in a purse they could become a victim.
"You can make yourself even less likely to be a victim by taking a few sensible precautions.
"The CDRP has produced a leaflet titled ‘Safe - Not Sorry’ with advice on personal safety and with useful tips for when using mobile phones or cash machines and when driving or using public transport. These leaflets along with other advice and information will be available on Sunday."
Advice from the leaflets includes:
- If you have to use your mobile in public, keep it as hidden as you can and keep calls brief.
- Remember that when you are on the phone you are unlikely to hear someone coming up behind you.
- Avoid texting or calling in crowded areas.
- Record your phone’s serial or IMEI number and keep it in a safe place.
- If your phone is stolen, tell your network provider and give them your IMEI number and phone number so they can bar it and the thief can’t make use of it.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
- Avoid carrying house keys in your hand-bag, try to keep them in a secure inside pocket instead.
- Never leave your purse in a shopping trolley or basket or otherwise unattended, even for a few moments.
- Never leave your purse or other valuables at the top of an open bag.
- Keep your hand-bag secure and carry it in front of you.
Members of the Crime Prevention Panel will also be offering bike post-coding on Sunday and giving away a free bicycle lock to anyone who makes use of the service.
Pat Dabbs of the CDRP said: "We are delighted to join in the fire station open day on Sunday. This is a good opportunity to work together to share community safety information and advice. The CDRP strives to make Gloucester a safer place to live, work and visit and we hope that by working together in partnership our campaigns can make a real difference."
The open day at Gloucester Fire Station in Eastern Avenue runs from noon until 4pm on Sunday, August 5.