BIRKENHEAD residents will be supported in their efforts to achieve greater freedom and independence thanks to the launch of a new town centre safety scheme.

With a ‘Safe in Town’ card residents who are uneasy about venturing out into busy places by themselves will be able to get help if they get into difficulty or feel anxious while out and about.

All they need to do is drop in to one of a number of participating businesses or organisations where they will be looked after while the relative or carer named on the card is contacted.

The scheme has already been piloted in a number of areas in Cheshire and has proved popular with adults and young people – aged 14 and over – for whom having the security of carrying the card means they are more likely to venture into town.

The scheme is being introduced in Wirral as a result of a partnership between a range of organisations, including Wirral Council’s Birkenhead Constituency Committee, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, the Pyramids Shopping Centre, Merseytravel, Wirral Met College and Wirral Chamber of Commerce.

Birkenhead MP Frank Field, who is also the chair of Birkenhead's constituency committee, said: "Local residents must always be able to feel safe and supported in the town.

"I’m pleased the council has recognised and acted on this as a priority. I hope the ‘Safe In Town’ card will reassure residents that help is always on hand should they suddenly feel uneasy while they are out.”

A range of partners have signed up to the scheme and staff working there will know what to do if people come in and present their card. The card will contain all the information and contact details for the nominated friend, family member or carer and someone at the safe zone will notify them of what’s happened.

All participating venues will display the ‘Safe in Town’ logo so people will be able to identify where they will be able to feel safe and get help.

Neighbourhood Inspector Georgina Minnery said: “Protecting vulnerable people is everybody’s responsibility, and as a police force we recognise we need to work with partners to ensure that those people who are vulnerable in our society have the support they need.

“The “Safe in Town” cards should allow those members of our community to feel safe when they’re out and about, reassured that there is help out there should they need it. Ourselves and our partners will continue to work together to ensure everyone in our community can feel safe on our streets.”

The Pyramids Shopping Centre food court is one of the designated safe zones, where anyone carrying a card can get help from a member of the security or cleaning staff, who have all been trained in the scheme.

Derek Millar, commercial director of the Pyramids Shopping Centre, said: "All of our security and cleaning staff in the food court have been trained in the Safe in Town card scheme. If a card carrier turns to one of our trained staff for help, they will be able to support them, and phone their emergency contact person, listed on the back of the card.

"The investment and partnership by so many organisations involved in this scheme shows the dedication of our businesses and services in Birkenhead to providing a safe and secure environment for the public."