Croydon BID is pleased to introduce ‘Child Safe’ to Croydon Town Centre, a family friendly and safe place to visit and have fun. The scheme has been created to help parents and children should they become separated.
Child Safe is a hugely successful scheme in operation in over 100 shopping centres across the country. Croydon is delighted to be the first London borough to adopt the scheme.
Look out for the bright orange balloon window stickers - these carry our helpline number:
If you lose a child or need to report an incident look for the nearest sticker and ring this number and talk directly to the security and customer services teams.
Teach your child, that if they are ever separated from mum, dad or guardian, not to panic: but to look for the nearest window sticker, from where they can either look for a security guard, or a mum with children and ask her to ring the number, or go into the shop.
Also make sure teenagers know they can also use the number, should they need help.
A mobile number on a wristband is the simplest and quickest way to help a lost child.
On entering Croydon Town Centre a wristband can be collected from the following locations:
- Croydon Library
- ‘One Stop’ at Taberner House
- Allders – Customers Services (2nd Floor)
- The Whitgift Shopping Centre – VIP Desk (level 1 opposite H Samuels)
- The Whitgift Shopping Centre – North End Entrance (by Monsoon)
- Centrale Shopping Centre – North End Mall
- Centrale Shopping Centre – Car Park, level P2A (by the pay machines)
These wristbands are bright, waterproof and tough so as well as shopping they are ideal for other days out or journeys into busy towns and cities.
It’s easy for children to get distracted in busy places. Most children are reunited very quickly, but a child is vulnerable while lost so it’s important to teach a child what to do.
If you are lost……….
- Stop, stand still and look, don’t run about.
- If you see the person you were with, go to them and hold their hand.
- If lost in a shop, go to the nearest till point and talk to a shop assistant. Most shop assistants will wear uniforms or badges.
- If in the centre, look for nearest bright window sticker, and then look for a security guard or a mum with children and ask her to ring the number, or ask for help in the shop.
- Don’t go up to anyone else.
…but the best way to help a lost child is to try and prevent it happening In the first place:
- Encourage children to stay close to you.
- Use reins or wrist links.
- Don’t leave a child in an unsupervised play area.
- Write a contact number on a wristband or tag.
- Carry an up to date photograph.
- Make a note of what the child is wearing.
Co-ordinated by Croydon BID
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