Stay safe on your journey to school

Local police teams handed out personal safety advice at events during the summer holidays and the work will continue through the new academic year.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss personal safety with their children to imrpove their confidence and ensure safety.

Personal safety advice includes:

Walk with a friend or group if possible.

Stay alert to what is happening around you.

Avoid wearing earphones or chatting on your phone, as this will distract you and you may not see or hear trouble approaching.

Keep both hands free and don’t weigh yourself down with heavy bags – you need to be able to move easily.

Stick to routes you know in busy, well-lit streets.

Walk in the middle of the pavement, facing oncoming traffic. This will avoid any cars driving up alongside you as you walk.

Trust your instincts. If you have a ‘funny feeling’ about someone or something, don’t ignore it, act on it straight away.

Always give away your bag, purse or wallet rather than fighting to keep it. Your things can be replaced – you can’t.

Your voice can be one of your best forms of defence. Don’t be embarrassed to make as much noise as possible to attract attention.

If you are on a bus or train you can press the alarm. Train platforms have telephones situated at the Help Points – these will connect you immediately to the British Transport Police or station staff.

There’s more information at www.bedfordshire.police.uk.