News
Bus stops for crime prevention
Dated: 26 Oct 2012
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Police are jumping onboard the community 'Plus Bus' to bring crime prevention advice to older people.
The special bus service with an inbuilt mobile library is run by North Tyneside Council, Age UK North Tyneside and VODA (Voluntary Organisations Development Agency). It helps residents, especially older people, get about the borough and keep in touch. Plus Bus travels between community centres, shopping areas and sheltered accommodation helping residents maintain independence while getting about.
The bus is also staffed with volunteers who can offer advice on local authority services, welfare and benefits. Police are now joining the volunteers with advice on staying safe from bogus callers.
This supports the forcewide 'If in doubt, keep them out!' initiative, which aims to raise awareness of the problem of doorstep criminals - people who carry out distraction burglaries, such as bogus officials, high pressure doorstep salesmen and rogue traders.