Keep Safe works in partnership with Police Scotland and a network of local businesses to create ‘Keep Safe’ places for disabled, vulnerable, and elderly people when out and about in the community.
People can access these premises to seek assistance and help if they feel lost, confused, scared, in danger, or have been the victim of a crime. The Keep Safe initiative is currently running in Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Dumfries & Galloway, the Scottish Borders, Dundee, Perth & Kinross, and Edinburgh. The initiative is being rolled out across Scotland in partnership with other Local Authorities and Police Scotland.
A spokesperson for I Am Me said “I Am Me Scotland are delighted that Police Scotland have taken the lead for the roll out of the Keep Safe initiative within Dumfries & Galloway. There are over 20 places within Dumfries & Galloway, and around 300 across Scotland. All Keep Safe Places are publicised on the free Keep Safe Scotland app, and on the I Am Me Scotland’s website. To find out more, visit: www.iammescotland.co.uk or contact i[email protected]”
Sergeant Graeme Stitt said “Keep Safe was originally set up in Renfrewshire by the I Am Me charity. It quickly became popular in this area and is now in the process of being rolled out across Scotland as a joint venture between the I Am Me charity, Police Scotland, and Local Authorities. Over the past few months we have been working on getting premises signed up to the scheme and we currently have 21 throughout Dumfries and Galloway. This number is increasing on a weekly basis and we hope to have a good spread of premises by the end of the year.”
Sergeant Stitt added “The scheme is designed to give vulnerable people a safe place to go if they are out and about and they feel they need help. There are also Keep Safe cards available and they contain emergency details of the person. The cards are not essential for anyone who wishes to use a Keep Safe premises but they are an extra help in assisting in giving the proper care.”
The Stove, High Street, Dumfries have recently signed up to the scheme. Nicole Archibald from The Stove said “It is important that all people feel safe in their community – by providing a place for anyone feeling vulnerable or lost, we are creating an opportunity for people who don’t necessarily feel confident to come into the town centre to do so, knowing that they have somewhere to turn to if they need support.”
Training is provided to premises. It is important that there are at least 2 members of staff working at all times and there is a suitable place within the premises that can be used. Relevant checks are carried out by the Police to ensure that all Keep Safe premises are suitable for the scheme. Any shop or business interested in becoming part of the Keep Safe scheme, or want a Keep Safe Card should contact their local Community Policing Team by calling 101 or using one of the following emails.
[email protected]
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