2nd March 2013: ‘How to Keep Safe’ with fantastic speakers Chief Superdindent Neil Wilson of Harrow Police and Virginia Wilkinson of Harrow Council’s Safeguarding Unit. Harrow Asian Deaf Club (HADC) was delighted to launch their new pull up Banners at their monthly event, in presence of their Patrons, John Purnell GM QPM DL (Deputy Lieutenant of Harrow) and his wife Margaret Purnell. The pull up Banners is vibrant, informative and visual with a real community spirit feel, with photographs of people involved in HADC activities. It was an effective way of promoting powerful messages about HADC’s work, inspiring, empowering and promoting Equality and Diversity.
With the month theme of ‘How to keep Safe’, we have had fascinating speakers on this subject, one was Neil Wilson, Acting Chief Superintendent of Harrow Police who spoke about how Harrow Police services work, based on New London Policing Model. Neil explained that some of the police officers have been trained in Deaf Awareness and basic British Sign Language (BSL) so they should be equipped to deal with any incidents involving deaf people. Neil also explained about the importance of home security, how to make your home safe from burglary, what to look out for and some useful tips on improving security within home and garden. He also demonstrated examples of personal safety, popular subject for everyone involved, being aware of who is around you, when at home (e.g. bogus callers); and when out and about (e.g. using licensed taxi). Many of our members found it very powerful and didn’t realise the danger and risks involved and can be easily duped by bogus callers, and rogue traders selling services at very cheap prices. This also gave our members opportunity to ask questions of how to report incidents, accessibility of communicating with police officers, which was well-received.
The second speaker was Virginia Wilkinson, Safeguarding Adult Practitioner of Harrow Council, who explained about safeguarding, what it means under the current laws, and the different types of abuses that we need to look out for, and ensure such incidents are reported to Council directly so vulnerable adults are supported as quickly as possible. There were lots of examples and discussion following question and answer session. It was certainly a great eye-opener for many of our members who were unaware of safeguarding and for both Virginia and Neil to take onboard of feedback from our members back to their colleagues.
So if you are Deaf and need to report incidents to Harrow Police, please use the following contact number:
- Emergency Services (including police): Minicom 18000 (via text direct) or SMS: 999. You must register your mobile phone first on: http://www.emergencysms.org.uk/
- Non-emergency services (police only): Minicom 18001 101 (Via text direct).
Also if you are concerned about any type of abuse onto vulnerable adults that need reporting to Safeguarding Unit, please contact them on:
Tel: 020 8420 9453 (during office hours), 020 8420 0999 (at all other times)
Minicom: 18001 0208 420 9453/ 0999 (via textdirect)
Fax 0208 416 8269
Email: [email protected]
HADC then presented both speakers with framed certificates of thanks for giving us a powerful presentation of how to keep safe and wish Neil a happy retirement as he is due to retire from the service on 12th March 2013.
