Uttoxeter starts 'safe haven' scheme
A scheme aiming to give vulnerable people more independence has been launched in a Staffordshire town.
Shops and public places in Uttoxeter have been urged to join Citizen Watch to help reassure elderly residents and people with learning disabilities.
Organisers Mencap and the Staffordshire Borough Community Safety Partnership said places included will display a logo showing they are a "safe haven".
Staff will call family members, carers, police or street wardens when needed.
The partnership said the launch in Uttoxeter follows the scheme's success in Burton-on-Trent where it started in April.
Sally Currie, partnership manager for East Staffordshire local policing team, said: "Citizen Watch is a great initiative as it enables extra support and reassurance to be provided to vulnerable people.
"It will allow them to use facilities in both town centres safe in the knowledge that help is readily available should they need it."
She added it would also make it "as easy as possible" to report any hate crimes committed against vulnerable people.