Out and About

At Safer Communities Torbay we want your to have a great time when you’re out and about.

In this section you can find out about:

• Crime and how to report it
• Anti-Social Behaviour
• The S word (we mean sex!)
• Bullying
• Arson

Crime and how to report it

Here are some tips to help you protect yourself from crime when you’re out:

• If you’re out late tell someone where you are and when you expect to be back home.
• If you have a mobile phone, always have it with you so that you can call your family, your friends or the police in an emergency.
• If you’re going out, especially after dark, arrange some transport so that you know when and how you’re getting home.
• Never accept a lift home from someone you don’t know.
• Keep an ear open. If you’re wearing headphones you’re less likely to hear people and traffic approaching you.
• Keep your valuables with you and try to keep items like mobile phones somewhere that’s not too noticeable.
• If someone grabs something from you like your bag, let it go. Crimes can be reported and stuff can be replaced. Your safety is more important.
• Listen to your instincts. If a situation is making you feel uncomfortable, get away from it.

If you’re out and you see a crime happen or someone commits a crime against you it’s really important that you report it.

Reporting a crime doesn’t make you a grass. It makes you brave.

When you make a report it sends a message to people that you’re willing to stick up for yourself and others. The police and other agencies can only take action when they know that there’s a problem.

If you’ve been the victim of a crime you may feel comfortable to make a report to the police. In Torbay you can report a crime by contacting the Police on 101. In an emergency situation telephone 999.

You can also email youngvictims@torbay.gov.uk.Alternatively, watch our Young Victim of Crime short film for more information.

To find out more about crime you might be interested in the Fearless  website.

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Anti-Social Behaviour

Anti-Social Behaviour (or ASB) is a big issue that can really upset people.

ASB means any threatening or intimidating behaviour which affects your quality of life. This could include rowdy and noisy behaviour, anti-social driving, disputes with neighbours, persistent verbal abuse, harassment, disorderly behaviour and aggressive begging.  

In Torbay ASB can be reported by email asb@torbay.gov.uk or telephone 01803 207900.

Sometimes people perceive ASB to be something it isn’t and young people are often seen to be the cause of it (which isn’t necessarily the case).

When you’re out with your friends having a good time, try to be considerate about how your behaviour may come across to other people.

Get Involved

If you’re a young person living in Torbay and you have any views about anti-social behaviour or suggestions as to how it could be tackled, we’d like to hear from you!

Please email us your views and suggestions at scatt@torbay.gov.uk. If you’d like to talk to us about your ideas please remember to tell us how you’d like us to communicate with you (for example by phone, by email or by text).

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Bullying

If you are being bullied outside of school you might feel like you’re on your own or you may feel frightened to tell someone about what’s happening to you.

It’s important to remember that you’re not alone and there are people that can help you. If possible speak to your parent or your carer. If you’re not sure who to talk to you can visit Checkpoint  or the Childline bullying page.

On the Childline website you can also post issues that are worrying you and find out what other young people are going through which may help you.

At BullyingUK you can find information and advice about different types of bullying including: social network bullying, school bus bullying, racist bullying and homophobic bullying. You can also read stories from real people about their experiences of bullying. The website also has contact details if you want to ask for help and advice.

The Kidscape website also has information and advice about bullying.

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Arson

There are some things in life that you just shouldn’t mess around with and fire is one of them. People who commit arson (start a deliberate fire) are breaking the law and those laws are in place to protect everyone.

Arson can cause serious injury and death. It’s also really really expensive to deal with. To find out how expensive and for more information about arson visit the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue arson webpages.

If you ever have any information about arson please contact the police on telephone 101 or you can contact Crime Stoppers on telephone 0800 555 111.

Remember that in the event of an emergency you can telephone 999.

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