A six month  pilot scheme to ensure that vulnerable people feel safe when out and about is being trialled by Halton Borough Council, working in partnership with Cheshire Police and a local charity, Halton Speak Out.

Safe in Town is for adults and young people (14+) who have a learning or physical disability and anyone over 60  to help them to feel safe in the community. Shops and many other places will display the Safe in Town logo in their windows and if people don't feel safe when they are out and about they can go into those buildings and staff can get help for them.

Adults and young people (14+) who have a learning or physical disability and anyone over 60 need to sign up for the scheme at the times and places as follows:

• Monday 17 &  Tuesday 18 September  10am - 12pm Halton Speak, The Old Police Station, Mersey Road, Runcorn
• Monday 24 September 10am - 12pm, The Mobility Shop, Halton Lea
• Thursday 27th of September 10am - 12pm, The Mobility Shop, Widnes Market.

Safe in Town is all about providing paces of sanctuary for those with learning or physical disabilities and anyone over 60. The six month pilot will be run in Widnes town centre and Halton Lea. Following an evaluation of the pilot, it is hoped that in the longer term the scheme will be extended to include other places that are part of the wider community, such as community centres, leisure centres and libraries.

Safer Halton Partnership is launching another Respect Week campaign this summer, it has been announced - after previous events have reduced anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime.

Respect Week focuses on tackling ASB and warning parents and young people of risks and harms together with promoting activities for young people within the local communities of Runcorn and Widnes.

Respect Week this year starts on Monday 20 August - with a wide range of events and activitied across the borough,

Every year around this period, there is an increase in youth related ASB, crimes and fires - and often the victims too are young people.

Therefore, the Respect week is not just about enforcement. The key messages are based around good parenting, education and positive activities.

Cllr Shaun Osborne, the Council's Executive Policy Leader for Community Safety, said: "Respect Week campaigns have proved very successful in the last two years.

"We want to continue to promote the work of the partners to make Halton a safe and healthy place to live, work and enjoy.

"Halton has an array of exciting events, activities and places this summer where young people can actively and safely participate and enjoy.

"The RESPECT website lists those positive activities that have been arranged from Halton Join In Local In Sport programme, Young Addaction, Catch 22, CrMZ, Hrmz, Vikings programmes, Victoria Park, Phoenix Park and many more."

Mark Antrobus of the Safer Halton Partnership said: “Respect Weeks are great opportunities for local residents and parents to work with the Safer Halton Partnership to tell us about the anti-social behaviour and associated problems in their area. We’re encouraging people of all ages to talk to us and get involved.”

The week will see a number of partnership initiatives. These include:

• The launch of the Neighbourhood Resolution Panels
• Police and Trading Standards will be carrying out intelligence led operations and initiatives
• The Housing Providers and Environmental Services will be carrying out environmental checks.
• The ASB team will be carrying out acceptable behaviour contracts to young people who have been identified as causing distress or harm to their community.
• The ASB team will be carrying out acceptable behaviour contracts to young people who have been identified as causing distress or harm to their community.
• More details are available from www.halton.gov.uk/respecthalton and there will be updates during the week at www.twitter.com/myhalton.

Safer Halton Partnership is made up of a number of service providers, including: Halton Borough Council, Cheshire Police, Cheshire Fire & Rescue, Cheshire Probation Service, Halton & Warrington Youth Offending Teams, Halton Voluntary Action, Halton Housing Trust & other social landlords, Halton Chamber of Commerce and NHS Halton & St Helens.

• Make sure you know where your children are and how to get in touch with them
• Talk to your children about alcohol and the dangers involved
• Never buy alcohol for someone under 18 from a licensed premise, even if it is for someone you know
• If you see a young person who appears to be vulnerable or under the influence of alcohol call 999 to get them help
• Anti-social behaviour, littering, fly tipping and dog fouling will not be tolerated. To report incidents phone 0303 333 4300

A programme of activities for young people is available at www.halton.gov.uk/respecthalton.