Published: Monday 07th December 2020 | 9.17am
The Chase Community Safety Partnership is helping residents stay safe again this Christmas with the relaunch of its campaign ’12 days to a safer Christmas’.
The festive season can be a very busy time during which it’s easy to take your eye off the ball when it comes to crime prevention. The campaign will run from 7 December until 22 December and will remind people how to keep safe and within the law during the lead up to the festive period.
The Council’s Partnerships Team will be delivering a series of crime prevention messages and useful tips through the use of social media and short online videos. A different theme will be promoted on each day which will highlight community safety priorities over the festive season. The messages will be short and informative and include advice on cyber crime, fire safety, counterfeit goods, drink and drug driving and many more.
The festive season is normally a chance for us to come together and spend time and celebrate with our loved ones, however things will be somewhat different this year. Please follow the current COVID-19 restrictions in place to ensure we all keep safe and well during this festive period.
Councillor Alan Pearson, Portfolio Leader for Community Safety and Partnerships said: “The aim of our campaign is not to try and spoil anyone’s enjoyment, but to encourage the public to be more aware of crime prevention by highlighting the types of incidents that are common at this time of year.
“Christmas is a time of celebration, but the highs can easily turn into lows. Unfortunately, some people take more risks leaving themselves vulnerable to becoming a victim or perpetrator of crime, including violence. For others, it may result in poor decisions, such as drink or drug driving, anti-social behavior or even serious assault.
“As a Partnership, we are urging everyone to have a fun but safe Christmas”.
Chief Inspector Becky Hyde, of the Cannock Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Christmas for many people is a happy time of year and an opportunity to spend some quality time with family. However, this is also a time of year when we see spikes in crimes such as domestic abuse and drink and drug driving.
“I appreciate that 2020 has been an extremely challenging year. The vast majority of people across the Cannock Chase district are doing their best and have made huge personal sacrifices since March in an effort to halt the spread of coronavirus. I want to thank the public for this and recognise the collective efforts of our partners, NHS staff, emergency services and our own frontline officers, who are doing all they can to protect us all.”
Lisa Jenkinson, Prevent Delivery Lead for Cannock said “We urge residents to think about fire safety this festive period. Ensure your Christmas lights and electronic decorations have the British Standards mark. Untangle them and check for any frayed wires before putting on your tree. Always turn your lights off when going to bed or leaving the house.
“To avoid a kitchen fire please avoid drinking alcohol if you are cooking the Christmas dinner this year. Have fun but celebrate safely.”
For more information about this campaign visit www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/12daysofchristmas