Published: Wednesday 1 December 2021
People can get a free personal panic alarm as part of wider efforts to make people living in Kensington and Chelsea feel safer.
The 1,000 personal alarms will be available from Wednesday 1 December from Kensington Town Hall. Residents can request an alarm by visiting the Customer Services Centre from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
The alarms are very small and can be carried when out running at night or going to the shops. They can be held or placed in a bag or clipped onto an item or piece of clothing.
If residents feel unsafe, pull the cord and a high-pitched alarm will sound which acts as a deterrent and alert for help.
Statistics show that Kensington and Chelsea has one of the lowest instances of violence resulting in injury in London – third lowest in London behind Richmond and Kingston. However, instances of violence across London are increasing.
Cllr Emma Will, Lead Member for Community Safety said:
“In Kensington and Chelsea, the chances of anyone being attacked or becoming a victim of a violent crime are low.
People shouldn’t have to change their lifestyles or be scared to walk on our streets. But we understand that some people might want to take extra precautions to stay safe, so we invite anyone who wants an alarm to collect one from the Town Hall.
We want everyone in our communities to feel safe in our borough.”
Making the borough safer is a local priority. A new five-year strategy will set out Kensington and Chelsea’s and Westminster’s visions to make both boroughs safe for women and girls in Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster. This approach will focus on preventing violence and abuse, ensuring the right support is available for those who need it, to ensure that agencies work together, and to hold abusers to account.
The Violence against Women and Girls Partnership strategy has been co-produced by both councils and partners including survivors and residents and will be ready early next year.
Visit the Metropolitan Police’s website for tips and advice on keeping yourself protected from crime.
If you, or someone you know is afraid or worried about sexual or domestic abuse, support is available.
- Call the Angelou Support Service on 020 8741 7008 Mondays to Fridays from 10am to 6pm
- The 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline can be contacted on: 0808 2000 247.
- In an emergency call 999.