Information on Loughborough

Bluetooth technology launches 'Safer Summer' campaign

Posted on 02/07/2009

police,constabulary,leicestershire police Bluetooth technology launches 'Safer Summer' campaign Message being sent to pupils across Leicestershire

Message being sent to pupils across Leicestershire

Bluetooth messages reminding young people to have a ‘safer summer’ are being sent to thousands of pupils in secondary schools across the county. 

The messages mark the beginning of a comprehensive multi-agency campaign aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour during the summer holidays across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. 

The police and Community Safety Partnerships are sending eye-catching moving messages to the mobile phones of thousands of school pupils, before they break up for the summer holiday, reminding them to have a safe summer and think carefully about their behaviour and the effect it might have on others. 

Large banners with, “We’ve got a message for you!  Switch your Bluetooth on!” are being put up in schools to prompt pupils to pick up their message and pass it on to their friends.  

It is part of the police and community safety partnerships ‘Safer Summer’ campaign designed to reduce incidents of noise, vandalism, graffiti and criminal damage which tend to rise during the summer holidays. 

Youth Initiatives Officers from the three policing areas have been giving presentations in classes and at school assemblies to talk to young people about how high spirits can be perceived as anti-social behaviour. 

Each local authority also has a full schedule of summer activities which young people are being encouraged to take part in, many of them are free or cost very little. 

During the summer holiday, officers will be confiscating alcohol from teenagers under the age of 18 if they are caught drinking in the street and will be targeting known ‘hot spot’ areas.  Regular visits will be made to pubs and off licenses to make sure they are complying with the law and extra public order patrols will be in place in towns with lively night time economies to avoid any increase in alcohol related violent crime. 

Also involved in the campaign is the Youth Offending Service who will be talking to young people and encouraging them to take part in local activities; Primary Care Trusts who’re offering safe drinking advice and the Leicestershire and Rutland Fire Brigade who are highlighting the dangers of arson.  Environmental action days are planned at locations across the three Force areas and the police and partners will be tackling the misuse of mini-motos which are driven dangerously in public places. 

Superintendent Steve Boulton, from the Force Community Safety Bureau said; “We want young people to enjoy their break from school and have a great time and we know that the majority of young people will do just that but there are a number of teenagers who may be tempted to drink alcohol or behave inappropriately and that can have a detrimental effect on a lot of people.  Our campaign is designed to encourage young people to take part in constructive and fun activities and just be aware that what seems like to fun to them can upset other people. 

“This isn’t just a police initiative; we are working with colleagues in councils and health services and the fire brigade because we hope by working together we can reduce incidents of nuisance behaviour and criminal damage, while at the same time helping young people have a safe and fun filled holiday.” 

Councillor David Snartt, Chairman of the Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, which is one of 9 Community Safety Partnership’s across Leicestershire and Rutland, who’re part of the campaign said; “Bluetooth is an excellent way of communicating with young people. Agencies within the safety partnerships have come together to organise a range of  summer activities which have been designed to keep young people engaged in fun, healthy and meaningful pursuits. These include an array of sport and leisure activities. 

“The majority of young people will use all the facilities available and stay safe. I believe by using Bluetooth messages we will also be able to reach the small minority of young people who may not engage, therefore they will be reminded what is available and hopefully not be involved in activities that are detrimental to their local neighbourhoods. 

“Partnerships within Leicestershire and Rutland have reducing anti-social behaviour as a priority; therefore we will be supporting the police in any actions necessary to make the Safe Summer Campaign a success.”.