New Town Centre Scheme Launched To Keep Kids Safe
Children can wear a free wristband with a mobile number is case they get lost
Look out for this sign, seen here in the window of Kaspa's Desserts in the High Street
The Child Safe Zone has been launched by the Wandsworth Town business improvement district (BID), working with Southside Shopping Centre and the council’s Disabled Children’s Register (DCR) team.
Posters are being put up around the town centre with a direct number to the town’s security team, who are in direct contact with the CCTV control room. Shoppers can pick up a free colourful wristband onto which they can write their mobile phone number. The wristbands are available from participating shops, who will display a sticker in their window, Southside security staff and BID ambassadors, or you can apply for one online.
Children wear the band and if they get lost whoever finds them can call the number so they can quickly be reunited.
Shops across the town centre have already signed up. Laurie Nash, manager of the Partica party shop, said, "The Child Safe Zone is an incredible scheme that we are proud to support. It is important to us to help keep children safe."
Caryl Davies of Wandsworth Town BID says, “We’re very pleased to be able to add the Child Safe Zones initiative to our portfolio of customer service. Thousands of people visit the Town centre every week and we’re proud of our reputation as a safe and secure shopping environment.”
Sarah McDermott, Wandsworth Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, adds, “We’re delighted to support this scheme. It’s open to all children, but our DCR team has been working with the BID because it will mean extra peace of mind for families with disabled children.”
The DCR team is part of the council’s children’s services department and supports families, children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. It runs the popular WAND Card scheme, which enables members to get concessions and extra support at venues around the borough, including summer activities such as free entry to Battersea Park Zoo and special sessions at Flip Out, Go Ape and Putt in the Park. Find out more at wandsworth.gov.uk/localoffer
September 17, 2018