Youth charity Fearless.org is reaching out on TikTok and Snapchat to remind young people to look out for each other over the holiday period.
The annual summer safety campaign, in partnership with Network Rail, launched today.
Coinciding with the start of the school summer holidays, the campaign will focus on key prevention messages covering a range of topics to help young people stay safe, whether they’re at home, travelling, away for the day or on holiday.
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Using digital animations that will appear across Snapchat and TikTok, the campaign will also see posters and flyers being distributed at summer events across Scotland.
Fearless.org – which is part of charity Crimestoppers - guarantees total anonymity and, like Crimestoppers, is totally independent of the police. It takes information anonymously and passes it on.
The initiative covers topics including child harm and neglect, child criminal exploitation, antisocial behaviour and trespassing on the railways.
Main messages promoted directly to young people this summer are:
- Be safe – take care and look out for your mates
- Be kind – think how your actions will impact on others and
- Be fearless – speak up about crime 100 per cent anonymously at Fearless.org
Lyndsay McDade, National Youth Projects coordinator for Crimestoppers, said: "During the summer holidays, we know that young people can be more at risk of harm and neglect or become involved in criminal activity that could end with them being badly hurt.
“That’s why, with support from Network Rail, we’re delighted to be launching our summer safety campaign today which will run for the entirety of the school summer holidays.
“We aim to equip young people with the knowledge to have a safe summer whilst reminding them that our charity – Fearless.org - is there 24/7 if they want to report information about crime 100 per cent anonymously.
“We can’t trace IP addresses or any contact details that could identify you. If you know about crime or have crime concerns you want to pass on anonymously, then Fearless is here for you. All we want to be told anonymously is what you know.
"Nobody will ever know the information came from you – but you will be helping to make Scotland safer.”
Allan Brooking, Community Safety Manager at Network Rail, added: "During the school summer holidays we see a marked increase in young people using the railway. It is important to us that they can travel safely on the network.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Fearless and the wider rail industry to educate young people about crime and staying safe, but to also empower them with knowledge on how to speak up anonymously to report unsafe behaviours and conditions.
“We continually strive to make our rail network a safe place for all our passengers and local communities. Our partnership with Fearless will give young people the knowledge and key information to be able to enjoy a safer summer”
Fearless.org and Crimestoppers are not the police. In an emergency ALWAYS call 999.
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