Oldham DAAT

Residents urged to have fun and be safe this Christmas

 Oldham agencies have joined together for the festive period to deliver a 'Have Fun, Be Safe' Campaign to local residents.  

The campaign will run throughout December, and involves local agencies including Greater Manchester Police Oldham Division, Brook, Oldham Community Health Services (part of NHS Oldham), and Positive Steps delivering targeted information, advice and support aimed at keeping people safe over Christmas.  

The 'Be Safe' campaign begins this week, which marks World Aids Day, and Rape Awareness Week and will run throughout the festive period, and a number of initiatives will be taking place including a 'Elf' information shop set up by Brook which opens on Saturday 5 December.   The shop will is also supported by Greater Manchester Police and Oasis, the young people's drug and alcohol service, and will feature: 

        Personal safety zone

      Think safe drink safe zone

      Sexual Elf! Zone (offering  sexual health screening)  

 There will be Elves on the streets and in the shop providing advice and information to young people.   "Young people over the festive season sometimes take additional risks with their health and indulge in the party atmosphere. We want to support young people to have a fun Christmas, by providing positive health messages and trying to ensure that young people don't receive any unwanted gifts this year!", said Emma Popay, Education Outreach Director at Brook.  

 The shop will be open from 12pm Saturday 5 December at 12 Albion Street Oldham and will be open until Saturday 12 December.  

A street team will also be giving out alcohol information, and 'Oldham condoms' printed with safety tips, and service information, on Friday and Saturday nights on Yorkshire Street and young people will also be given sexual health goody bags through Connexions, Colleges and Brook containing condoms, drinks stoppers, and information on local services.  

 Sharon West, Oldham's Teenage Pregnancy Coordinator said: 'Whilst we want people to have fun, we also want to get them thinking about the risks they take over the festive period, mainly related to alcohol consumption. There are several key messages we are promoting to all residents to help keep them safe, such as drinking a soft drink between alcoholic drinks, making sure you eat before you go out, staying with friends, and making sure you take a taxi home."

Inspector Melita Worswick said: "We will be out in force throughout the festive season to remind people to think about their own safety by following the simple advice we will be giving out.  Our main priority is to provide a secure environment so that all our visitors, residents and workers can enjoy their time here free from the fear of crime. "We're not trying to stop people from going out and having a good time.  We just hope that through this campaign, people will take some simple steps to keep themselves and their friends safe on a night out."

To report crime call police on 0161 872 5050 or for more information visit www.gmp.police.uk. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously with information about crime on 0800 555 111.  Crimestoppers is an independent charity that will not want your name, just your information.  Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.