Children and young people urged to stay Safe4Summer

Greater Manchester’s Community Safety Partners are working together to tackle anti-social behaviour during the summer months to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.

During the summer holidays there may be temptation for young people to get involved in activities that can seem like harmless fun, but often they can carry serious consequences.

Safe4Summer aims to ensure young people can relax and enjoy their holidays in the safest way possible for themselves and for others.

Police are also urging the community to help make their local area a safer and more enjoyable place to live and are asking parents and guardians to maintain a line of communication when their children are out and about during the school holidays.

Partners include Greater Manchester Police, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Greater Manchester local authorities and voluntary, community and faith organisations.

Detective Superintendent Chris Downey of Greater Manchester Police said: “The holidays are a chance for young people to have a break and unwind, but it’s important to remember that there are many other people who will be enjoying activities and events and we are urging everyone to be socially responsible this summer.  

“We will be working with partner agencies to deliver activities for young people, but I also want to appeal to parents and guardians to take an active interest in where their children are and what they are doing. We want everyone to have a great summer but a safe one too.”

Summer is also a great time for young people to get out and explore Greater Manchester on public transport, and the TravelSafe Partnership (TSP) will be working to keep young people, and the wider public, safe and secure. There will be teams of officers and staff patrolling the networks to provide help and assistance, as well as working to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour.

Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Bev Hughes, said: “As we continue to work together to protect young people in Greater Manchester, this year’s Safe4Summer campaign will educate and encourage our young people to keep themselves safe from a number of factors – including crime.

“We want young people to enjoy the summer months, and that also means being aware of the risks and consequences if things get out of hand. I also encourage parents to work with us – please keep an eye on your children and help us make this summer a safe one for everyone.”

Area Manager Damian O’Rourke from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “We are really pleased to be working with Greater Manchester Police and other organisations across the city-region again this year for our joint campaign, Safe4Summer.

“This year to help keep our young people safe we are focussing on a number of key themes, including water safety and deliberate fires involving young people.

“We don’t want to stop people having fun over the summer months, however, safety is paramount so we want to remind young people, and their parents and carers, of the dangers associated with our water ways.

“As the warmer weather approaches, we urge you to take care when out and about around canals – such as those in Manchester city centre, which have sadly claimed too many lives already. Please don’t walk alone along canals and always try and plan your journey home at the start of your night out.”

For information regarding activities for families and young people are happening in your local area visit:

• www.safe4summer.com

The wider community are asked to be proactive in reporting any instances of anti-social behaviour to police on 101 or via the live chat function on the GMP website. Always dial 999 in an emergency.