Young people encouraged to get creative as summer safety campaign launches

Young people across Greater Manchester are invited to get creative at home as part of this year’s Safe4Summer partnership campaign which launched earlier this month.

The mini creative project is new to this year’s campaign in light of Covid-19 government guidance and is aimed at those aged five to 16-years-old. The idea is to encourage young people to think about safety this summer in line with key themes highlighted through Safe4Summer – such as water safety, road safety and preventing anti-social behaviour, which includes deliberate fire-setting.

So, if you fancy getting creative by making a short film, a 3D model, collage or montage, or even drawing a picture, while helping keep people safe this summer then head to the Safe4Summer website:

• www.safe4summer.com

Safe4Summer brings together Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), local councils and other key partners to tackle this issue through education by encouraging young people to keep themselves safe while adhering to Covid-19 social distancing restrictions, and providing an array of fun activities to prevent them participating in anti-social behaviour activity.

While young people are off school - whether that be due to the Covid-19 pandemic or the scheduled summer holidays - there may be temptation for them to get involved in things that seem like harmless fun but can often lead to serious consequences.

Superintendent Chris Bridge, GMP’s lead for Anti-social Behaviour, said: “This year’s Safe4Summer campaign will educate and encourage the young people of Greater Manchester on how they can keep themselves safe from a number of factors including anti-social behaviour, whilst also adhering to social distancing restrictions that remain in place as we all continue combat Covid-19.

“We want to encourage the public to work with us and to take an active interest in their children’s whereabouts and plans. We want everyone to have a great summer but a safe one too. I would encourage everyone to visit the Safe4Summer website where there is a host of information on how to keep young people safe and out of dangerous situations this summer.

“It’s also important that young people as well as parents and carers, are aware of the risks and consequences of seemingly fun situations when they get out of hand - it can often lead to fines or in some cases, prosecution.”

Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Bev Hughes, said: “We know this is a challenging time - particularly for our young people, who are spending more time at home and not seeing their friends and wider family. As we approach the summer months, it may be tempting to get involved in things that may seem like harmless fun but things can easily go wrong and can often have serious consequences.

“We want young people to enjoy the summer as much as they can as we all work together through the crisis, that’s why we are encouraging people to get creative while learning about safety and helping others to stay safe too. As always we also encourage parents and carers of young people to work with us – please keep an eye on your children and help us make this summer a safe one for everyone.”  

Area Manager Paul Fearnhead from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “This summer will be different from any we have ever known with many of us continuing to spend more time at home than ever before as we prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“We are working with schools in alternative ways this year - our resources are being shared digitally with parents and young people via their teachers and school websites, rather than our staff members visiting the schools to speak with young people.

“This summer we will be focusing on keeping young people safe around water and on the roads along with preventing anti-social behaviour, which includes deliberate fires involving young people. As always, we advise people not to enter or swim in open water – if there is no lifeguard, then it is not safe to swim. Too many people have lost their lives after getting into difficulties in water – even the strongest of swimmers suffer from cold water shock and can find themselves caught up in objects hidden beneath the water’s surface.”

Young people (aged 5-16) have until 31 August 2020 to take part in an interactive quiz aimed at different age groups for a chance to win an iPad. Get involved at www.safe4summer.com where you will also find details of the creative project.

You can report anti-social behaviour to police via the GMP website through the reporting function or through LiveChat. You can also call 101 to report non-urgent incidents.

Always dial 999 in an emergency.