A scheme to help vulnerable people will be signing up new members in the town centre this week.

Dartford Council and Dartford Town Against Crime (DTAC) have been running the ShopSafe StaySafe ID scheme for 10 years.

It gives vulnerable people a temporary place to go if they are feeling confused, scared, upset or face an emergency when out and about in the town centre.

Vulnerable people can include those who have a learning or physical disability, have an illness or severe medical condition or are feeling lost or confused.

Members are given a keyring to identify themselves as needing assistance when they show it to staff in participating shops, cafes, restaurants, businesses and public buildings display a ShopSafe StaySafe or Dartford Town Against Crime window sticker.

Cllr Ann Allen said: “We want more and more people to be aware of just how useful and easy it is to sign up.

"It not only reassures vulnerable people that there are places to go if they need a little help whilst out and about in the town centre but also provides peace-of-mind to the people who care for them.

"They all know that the safe and supportive places will take care of them until more help arrives.”

The team will be at the Orchard Theatre on Friday from 1pm to 2.30pm and Meeting Place, Orchard Shopping Centre on Monday, February 24 1.30pm to 3.30pm to distribute keyrings.

People who want to sign up are asked to bring a passport size photo if possible.

If you are unable to makes these dates and would like to become a member, or if you are a business that would like to register, email shop.safe@dartford.gov.uk

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