Safety Week ‘bigger and better’

A new scheme encouraging dog walkers to report crime is being unveiled during a week of activities aimed at making people safer in their communities.

Safety week, organised through a collaboration between Cardiff University and Grangetown Community Action, returns to the streets of Grangetown in Cardiff following its success last year.

The week, which runs from 10 to 14 October, features practical advice and demonstrations related to themes such as fire safety, home security and first aid.

Activities include the unveiling of South Wales Police and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s ‘Paws on Patrol’, which invites dog walkers to report crime while out and about.

Safety Week is part of the University’s Community Gateway project, which is building a partnership with residents in Grangetown to make the area an even better place to live.

Lynne Thomas, Community Gateway project manager, said: “Safety Week was a big success last year alerting a wide range of people to important community safety issues.

“It was in direct response to ideas generated by Grangetown representatives who want to build upon this success and engage as wide a section of the community as possible.

“We have received fantastic support from Grangetown Community Action and all our partners, particularly the emergency services, and I want to thank them for making this happen.

Police officers and firefighters, supported by Cardiff University students and Neighbourhood Watch, will be carrying out door-to-door home safety visits to offer advice and help ensure people are as safe as possible in their community.

South Wales Fire and Rescue will visit several schools during the week, while South Wales Police will host a community engagement event on the Monday evening alongside Neighbourhood Watch and student volunteers.

Garry Davies, Head of Community Safety and Partnerships for South Wales Fire and Rescue, said: ‘‘This is again an excellent opportunity for our service to work alongside partners to protect and educate our communities to make them safer by reducing risk.’’

Other activities include a safe driving safety simulator, cycling repair and security advice, and first aid and first responder training.

Those taking part include Cardiff Council, the Welsh Ambulance Service, St John Cymru Wales, Halfords, Student Volunteering Cardiff, Dogs Trust Bridgend and Cardiff Dogs Home.

Ashley Lister, Secretary of Grangetown Community Action, said: "After the success of the first Grangetown Safety Week, Grangetown Community Action are proud to be partnering with Community Gateway once again to deliver the project for the second year running.

“Looking at what we have to offer from the various organisations involved, I can safely say that Safety Week this year is going to be bigger and better than last year.

“I'd like to thank all of our partners from the emergency services, the local authority and the third and private sectors for their support with particular thanks to the Community Gateway team for their continued support and investment into Grangetown.”

Community Gateway is one of the University's five flagship engagement projects, otherwise known as its Transforming Communities programme.

The University is working with Welsh Government and communities in Cardiff, Wales and beyond in areas including health, education and wellbeing.