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Personal Safety You can contact your local police station, or in an emergency dial 999. These groups can help: Victim Support Schemes If you have been attacked, they can help you cope. Ask the police to put you in touch. Social Services If you or your children need to get away from a violent man, social workers at your local council can put you in touch with a nearby refuge for women. Their 24-hour emergency number will be in the phone book. Rape Crisis Services If you have been raped, they will give you help and support. Find the nearest centre by calling 020 7837 1600. Or In Scotland 0131 556 9437. Citizens Advice Bureaux Your local Citizens Advice Bureaux can be found in the telephone directory The Suzy Lamplugh Trust A national charity for personal safety. 020 8392 1892. 14 East Sheen Avenue, London, SW14 8AS. Women's Aid Federation 0845 702 3468 Malicious Callers BT offer an advice service and document on how to deal with malicious callers Personal Possessions Banks And Credit Card Companies Will advise you on how to protect your cash and credit cards. For lost or stolen cards, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Check your last bank statement or phone book for the number to ring. Racial Harassment In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the police. For general advice contact your local police station to speak to your local crime prevention officer or community relations officer. The Commission for Racial Equality Was set up by the Race Relations Act 1976 and works towards the elimination of racial discrimination and the promotion of equal opportunity between people of different racial groups. Their address is 10-12 Allington Street, London, SW1E 5EH. Tel 020 7828 7022. They will also have the member of your local Racial Equality Council. ALCOHOL AND DRUGSUSEFUL CONTACTSThere are many organisations you can contact for advice on alcohol or drugs - some are listed below Counselling Agencies The above may be able to put you in touch with counselling agencies. If not, try the following Alcohol Concern A national charity working to promote sensible drinking and to improve services to help problem drinkers. They produce a booklet 'Alcohol and Your Children'. Contact them for information or advice or to be put in touch with a local alcohol advisory service in your area. Waterbridge House, 32-36 Loman Street, London, SE1 0EE. Tel 020 7928 7377. Drinkline Health Education Authority Produce educational material, including documents on drugs and alcohol. Available through GP surgeries and health promotion units. Trevelyan House, 30 Great Peter's Street, London, SW1P 2HW. Tel 020 7222 5300 National Drugs Helpline 0800 77 66 00. Calls are free and confidential, service available 24 hours. Keeping your Children SafeMany police forces and schools organise Junior Citizen or Crucial Crew schemes for junior school children. They teach them how to cope with everyday dangers both in the home and outside. They also encourage good citizenship. Ask your children's school or your local community police officer about these programmes. You can also contact Crime Concern for information about Crucial Crew. The police and social services will investigate any suspected case of child abuse, ill-treatment or neglect. If you believe a child has been abused in any way or put in fear of an assault, contact them or the NSPCC immediately. There are a lot of groups who can help. Your doctor may be able to tell you which one is best. Do not leave the child - or any other children - where the offender can get to them and intimidate them into denying what has happened. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (RSSPCC) Exploring Parenthood Kidscape Childline 0800 1111 . This is a free telephone line offering confidential counselling for children in trouble or danger, or for worried parents. You can write to Childline at: Freepost 1111 London N1 4BR Survivors of Sexual Abuse 020 8890 4732 Mothers Of Abused Children Based in Cumbria, provides telephone counselling for victims, parents and people who have been abused in the past. Crime Concern 147 - 150 Victoria Road Swindon Wiltshire SN1 3BU Tel 0179 386 3500 For Parents and Families under StressParentline 3rd Floor, Chapel House 18 Hatton PlaceLondon EC1N 8RU Tel 020 7209 2460 Offers help and advice to parents who are under stress, or experiencing difficulties with a child. Careline 020 8514 1177. The Samaritans A charity that helps the lonely or suicidal. Numbers are in the local phone book or the operator will put you through. You can get help on the phone by calling their national Helpline 0845 790 9090, or face to face. Remember, if you were abused as a child, it is never too late to seek help and talk about how you feel. When You Are Away From HomeHousing Department Of your local council - if you are a council tenant, some councils help pay for extra locks and alarms, especially for pensioners and the disabled, or there may be a special lock-fitting scheme. If not, they or the police may tell you about any run by a voluntary or other local organisation in your area. Home Insurance Companies Some firms offer lower premiums to people who fit security locks and alarms. Some also offer discounts if you belong to a Neighbourhood or Home Watch scheme. Ask the firm whether it minds which systems you buy. Building Society or Bank They may be willing to lend you the money for extra security, and to add it to your mortgage. Good security can increase the value of your property. Crime Prevention Advice Contact he Master Locksmiths Association 5D Great Central Way, Woodford Halse, Daventry, Northants, NN11 3PZ. Tel 01327 262 255, For the name of approved locksmith in your area. All police forces have officers trained in crime prevention - contact your local station for advice on how to secure your home or business premises. You can get further advice on home security and postcoding your property in the documents 'Beat the Burglar', Coded for Keeps' and 'Peace of Mind When You're Away'. Available from your local police station or write to The following publications could be useful - 'Neighbourhood Watch - A Guide to Successful Schemes - October 1993'. Available from Crime Concern Beacer House 147-150 Victoria Road Swindon Wiltshire SN1 3BU Tel 0179 386 3500. Also available from Crime Concern is a directory of Crime Prevention Panels in England and Wales.
- 'A Practical Guide to Crime Prevention for Local Partnerships - October 1993', available from Home Office Room 586A 50 Queen Anne's Gate London SW1H 9AT
- 'Manual for Action' - advice on how to set up a crime prevention panel.
- 'Welcome to neighbourhood Watch' 'A Problem Solving Approach to Crime Prevention: A Guide for Neighbourhood Watch Schemes'
The above titles are available from Home Office Comm. Dir., Room 431 50 Queen Anne's Gate London SW1H 9AT 'Partners Against Crime' - a guide to helping the police reduce crime in your neighbourhood. Call 0845 723 5235 for your free copy.
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