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Staying Safe - Personal Safety
North Yorkshire police have provided information on how to look after your personal safety. This includes:
- Protecting your phone
- Protecting yourself from ATM theft
- Protecting yourself from street robbery
- Helping other people feel safe
- Stalking and harassment
- Spiked drinks and date-rape drugs
Trading Standards can help local residents identify businesses they can trust by:
- operate 'cold calling controlled zones' to help reduce instances of cold calling at the door
- visiting those that have responded to scam mail
Victim of crime
Victim support is an independent charity that provides support to people affected by crime or traumatic events to get the support they need and the respect they deserve. They help people feel safer and find the strength to move beyond crime.
Hate Crime
A Hate Crime is any criminal offence that is motivated by hostility and prejudice towards a person’s identity or perceived identity. The following are the five nationally monitored strands:
• Disability
• Race
• Religion/Faith
• Sexual Orientation
• Transgender Identity
Anyone can be affected by Hate Crime. You don’t have to be a member of the group to which the hostility is targeted at. You don’t have to be gay to have had homophobic abuse shouted at you. You may not be part of a religion and still have someone target you because they think you are.
Start Safe, Stay Safe app
A new app lets you report harassment or hate crime, and get support. On it you can:
• Report anonymously
• Access specialist support
• Capture audio, video and picture evidence
• Report the incident for formal investigation by police or council.
Download the Start Safe, Stay Safe app from Apple Store or Google Play. Find more guidance on support and reporting here.
Supporting Victims
You can also report hate crime incidents to the Supporting Victims team on 01609 643 100 or by visiting their website: https://www.supportingvictims.org/hate-crime-incident.../
Please see the link below to a short film explaining the service provided by Supporting Victims:
Supporting Victims video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16waYKnhUG/
Suspicious text messages
You can report suspicious text messages to your mobile network provider, for free, by forwarding the text to 7726.
On many Android devices and iPhones, pressing and holding on the message bubble should present the option to forward the message
Information provided by : Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Domestic and Sexual Abuse
UK SAYS NO MORE is a national campaign to raise awareness to end domestic abuse and sexual violence across the UK.
UK SAYS NO MORE is working with Boots UK, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK to provide Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse.
To access a Safe Space walk into any participating pharmacy in the UK. Ask at the healthcare counter to use their Safe Space. A pharmacist will show you to the Safe Space, which will be the consultancy room. Once inside, you will find displayed specialist domestic abuse support information for you to access, to make that call or access Bright Sky safely. Safe Spaces are open and ready for you to use.
Help Lines
Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) run a helpline for anyone affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence (03000 110 110) You can call the helpline if you are experiencing domestic abuse or have been affected by sexual violence or abuse, if you are worried about your relationship or if you are concerned about someone you know. Professionals can also use the helpline to make referrals and to ask any questions. The lines are free to contact and what you tell us will be treated in the strictest confidence
There is also a 24 hour national domestic violence number on 0808 2000 247 or the Rape Crisis line on 0808 802 9999.
Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) provide support to people of all genders (over the age of 16) who are victims or survivors of Domestic Abuse.
This includes practical support, helping you through the criminal and civil justice systems as well as giving you information on benefits and housing, providing emotional support or referring you on for counselling. Your safety is of paramount concern and they will always do their best to help you form a plan that will help you feel safer.
Support can be offered on a one to one basis or in a group. If you don’t want to meet in person, they can also help you over the phone or via email at info@idas.org.uk. The team of people who provide support have specialist knowledge and in-depth training. They also have good links with solicitors, counsellors and other specialist agencies.
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Claire's Law)
The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, also known as Clare’s Law, gives you the right to ask about a partner, or ex-partner’s previous history of offending. The scheme involves police disclosing a partner or ex-partners previous violent or abusive offending which may help protect their partner or ex-partner and any connected children.
Requests can be submitted online via Request information under Clare's Law: Make a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) application | North Yorkshire Police, or by calling 101 or going to your local police station.
You can apply for information about your current or ex-partner because you're worried they may have a history of abuse and are a risk to you or you can request information about the current or ex-partner of a friend or relative because you're worried they might be at risk.
Other information
Safe online provides information on how to stay safe online and what to do if you are a victim of a scam.
Staying Safe this Winter - Be Safe, Stay Safe booklet has been produced by North Yorkshire police with lots of tips on how to stay safe at home.
Inspire North - is a local service that supports perpetrators.