Community safety message goes out to older people
A partnership between Warwickshire’s Mobile Library Service and Warwickshire Police is helping to put out community safety messages to some of the district’s more vulnerable people.
The Community Mobile library visits 124 sheltered housing complexes and day centres for the elderly around the county over a four-week period and over 50 of these are in the Warwick District area. Its customers are primarily older people who struggle to visit their local library due to lack of transport or who may have mobility problems.
This is a section of the community which is especially vulnerable with older people being almost exclusively victims of distraction burglaries.
PCSO Ian David travelled with the mobile library to meet some of its customers taking in a route which stops at eight locations in the Lillington and North Leamington areas.
Among the tips passed on by PCSO David were avoiding carrying too much money around, ensuring that flats and houses are fully secure and advice on dealing with rogue traders.
PCSO David said: “We were pleased to be able to work with Warwickshire Libraries to help us to make contact with some people in the community who can otherwise prove hard to reach.
“Working with the mobile library was a chance for us to pass on useful tips and, perhaps more importantly, to provide them with reassurances that we are out and about in the community working at keeping their communities safer.”
Desmond Heaps, Principal Librarian for Community Services, said: “We have established excellent links with many older and hard to reach people through the mobile libraries. We do not see the service as simply a mobile book delivery; it is an opportunity to make contact with people who might otherwise be in danger of being isolated and the mobile library is an opportunity for staff to keep an eye on local communities and to help wherever possible. This is an excellent example of that and we hope that our customers come away not only reassured but with positive advice on safety.”
For more information on Warwickshire Libraries Community Mobile service and where and when it stops in your area contact: Debbie Sly Tel: 01926 851031.
Five tips on keeping safe by PCSO Ian David to be supplied
1. At home always secure outside doors - If you have to use a key keep it nearby you may need to get out quickly in the event of a fire
2. You should be extremely careful about letting people into your home. If you do not recognise them do not let them in
3. Don’t take short cuts through dark alleys, parks or across waste ground. Walk facing the traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you
4. Don’t make it easy for pickpockets. Carry your wallet/ purse in an inside pocket, preferably one, which can be fastened
5. Cash is a favourite target for thieves, so try to avoid carrying large amounts.