NEW SCHEME TO KEEP VULNERABLE BRIGG PEOPLE SAFE

North Lincolnshire Council is to trial a new neighbourhood scheme in Brigg and Appleby to ensure people keep an eye out for elderly and vulnerable residents.

The Nominated Neighbour Scheme is a joint initiative between the council’s Safer Neighbourhoods  Team, Trading Standards, and Neighbourhood Watch.

Packs are being distributed to Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators for them to identify elderly and vulnerable residents in their community who may fall victim to unwanted and unsolicited doorstep callers and to identify a local neighbour who can take on the role of Nominated Neighbour.

The role involves being called on to check whether or not a caller to their door is genuine. When the vulnerable person is visited by a caller that they do not recognise, they show the caller a card that directs them to visit the nominated neighbour or contact them by telephone.

Residents are instructed to not leave cards in their windows at all times as this may advertise them as vulnerable. The cards are to be sown only when the resident is approached.

The scheme will be trialled throughout the 12 groups in Brigg and Wolds and Appleby (which runs as a village Neighbourhood Watch).

Safer Neighbourhoods has been working closely with Humberside Police and Trading Standards to get the Scheme up and running. The success of the scheme will be monitored through Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators and calls for Police Service.

If successful, the scheme will be extended to cover all of North Lincolnshire Neighbourhood Watch Groups.

Councillor Carl Sherwood (Brigg & Wolds), Cabinet Member for Asset Management, Culture and Housing at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is a fantastic scheme that will help protect vulnerable and elderly people living in the Brigg area. Many fall victim to unscrupulous doorstep callers and deserve to feel safe in their own homes. This scheme will give piece of mind to those who need it.”