Each year Torbay welcomes between fifteen and twenty thousand Visiting International Students over the summer period.
To ensure their trip is memorable for the right reasons Torbay’s Language Schools will be working closely with the Police, Safer Communities Torbay and partners in promoting safety awareness messages.
‘Operation TVIS’ (Operation Torbay Visiting International Students) is a Police-led operation was launched in April 2006 in order to provide a safe and secure environment for all visiting students. A partnership team incorporating Torbay’s Language Schools, Local Schools, Street Wardens, Youth Offending Team, Tourist Information Board, Street Pastors, Safer Communities Torbay and Police have been working together to ensure that all visiting students integrate in the best possible manner and enjoy their time here in the bay.
The majority of problems encountered by visiting international students can be attributed to a lack of understanding surrounding culutral differences, in response Operation TVIS provides cohesion education to both visiting students and local students.
Police and Safer Communities Torbay officers are currently running a series of talks for visiting international students welcoming them to Torbay and outlining local laws and expectations. Much of the TVIS work is centred around prevention and enforcement – any person committing an offence against a visiting student will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.
PC Nicola Waites comments;
“The project is aimed at encouraging international relations, understanding each other’s cultures and governing laws and most importantly; keeping safe. We will also be providing police presence at international student events, not only to reassure our visitors of their safety but also to send out the message to the small minority who disgrace us by being unwelcoming that this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
“Visiting students are important to the local economy; their arrival brings a boost to businesses, including retail, entertainment, transport and not to mention the local host families. Visiting international guests are a valuable asset to Torbay”
“The TVIS project has got off to a great start this year and I have been overwhelmed by the warmth shown by the local community in welcoming the students to the bay. I’m really looking forward to this summer period and hope that we continue to see a reduction in incidents and Torbay maintains its status as one of the top destinations for young international learners.”
Visit the TVIS page for more information on keeping safe and having fun whilst visiting Torbay.
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