Lights, camera, action for safety

The video’s offer advice on getting home safely after a night out, avoiding burglary and sneak thiefs, preventing cycle theft and how older people can stay safe at home.

PC Amanda Hanusch-Moore said: “Videos like this will help the ideas to seep into people’s subconsiousness, they are short, snappy and get the point across.

She added: “These problems are the issues currently affecting people in Harrogate. I think the time just before Christmas is a good opportunity to remind people to be safe.”

One of the videos urges people to get home safely after nights out, and features a young woman walking home alone, while being followed by a man.

Simon Astor, safer communities officer at Harrogate Borough Council said: “That scene wasn’t staged, we just watched her walking off and realised he seemed to be following her. It was scary.

“We got on the radio to CCTV and they followed it on cameras to check she got home safely, it still made you think about it though.”

Another film covers cold callers and how elderly people can stay safe at home, which Mr Astor said has become a particular problem in recent weeks.

He said: “Harrogate and Boroughbridge have been targetted by cold callers in recent months, so it is an important message to get out there.”

The videos will be available for the public to watch on the Harrogate Advertiser website, and on the Harrogate District Community Safety website, www.saferharrogate.org.uk, the films will also be shown in doctor’s surgeries and clubs, bars and pubs.

Coun Margaret Atkinson, Harrogate Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer Communities said: “The films produced will enable the Harrogate District Community Safety Group to reach as wide an audience as possible. All the films are short, sharp, punchy and straight to the point.

“They cover a wide variety of issues, including cycle theft, older persons’ safety, sneak in burglaries, and getting home safely, which ties in with our Christmas safety message for this year.”

Visit www.harrogateadver

tiser.co.uk to watch the films.