Kid safe zones launched by Parents Against Grooming UK

A Kid Safe Zone image displayed in the window of the Parents Against Grooming UK walk-in centre on Yorkshire Street, Rochdale

A new initiative to keep children safe is being launched by the Parents Against Grooming UK group in the form of ‘kid safe zones’.

The zones are recognised places, such as businesses or shops, which are displaying a Kid Safe Zone sign or sticker, defining that place as a safe space for children, or vulnerable people, who feel like they are in danger.

Founder of Parents Against Grooming UK (PAGUK), William Howarth said: “Over recent months, we have had many people contact us to tell us their child has been followed from school or college, or that a car has pulled up, asking a child or lone female to get in.

“Because of this, we decide to initiate ‘kid safe zones’ – somewhere recognised where a child can ask for help and be safe until that help arrives. We’re asking those places to contact police on 101 or 000 and keep them safe until police and parents or guardians arrive.”

Each business is given a protocol by PAGUK to follow to ensure that any child who feels they are in danger can approach a trusted adult to help them.

Mr Howarth added: “It just reinforces that adults are there to help and will do.”

Approximately 20 businesses on Yorkshire Street, Rochdale, are displaying the stickers, and are available to all across the borough.

The group, which formed in 2014, opened a permanent walk-in centre on Yorkshire Street earlier this year to help give survivors of child sexual abuse a voice as well as offering counselling referral, drug and alcohol help, suicide awareness, internet awareness and homelessness awareness.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127405/here%E2%80%99s-how-this-group-of-volunteers-are-fighting-against-grooming-and-child-sexual-exploitation

For more information about becoming a Kid Safe Zone, or the other services that PAGUK offers, please visit the walk-in centre at 138 Yorkshire Street, Rochdale, OL16 1LD, or telephone: 01706 645 866.