Spooktacular safety campaign launches for Halloween and Bonfire Night

Fearless – the youth programme of charity Crimestoppers – has today launched a new campaign to keep teenagers across Scotland safe this autumn.

Focusing on Halloween and Bonfire Night, the charity’s using Snapchat, Tik Tok and Instagram with information on how to stay safe and look out for their local community.

Each of videos is co-produced by the charity’s youth volunteers.

One TikTok's filmed at a fire station and links to information about firework legislation.

Another features animated dancing skeletons and includes important information about trick or treating and respecting people’s right to not take part in anti-social behaviour.

The campaign also seeks to challenge the myths and negative stereotyping around anti-social behaviour. According to research carried out by Scottish Community Safety Network in 2020, adults are more likely to be found committing anti-social behaviour than young people.

Lyndsay McDade, National Youth Projects Coordinator at Crimestoppers, said:

“With the dark nights drawing in, it’s particularly important that everyone feels safe in their communities. That’s why this campaign focuses on the key events happening over the next few weeks – Halloween and Bonfire Night – and provides young people with important information on how they can not only stay safe from harm but help their community to do so as well.

“Rather than using traditional anti-social behaviour messaging, we’re continuing to champion pro-social behaviour instead. The vast majority of young people are absolute assets to their communities and for those that sometimes make negative choices, it’s important that we’re clear about ways that they can turn that around to make more positive ones.

“On our website Fearless.org, young people can find a ‘positive action’ section on our autumn page, with ideas of pro-social things to do as well as vital information about trick or treating safely and fireworks legislation. They can also use our website to speak up 100% anonymously about who is responsible for fireworks misuse and deliberate fire-raising.”

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