Feeling safe in your home is an important consideration for all individuals. There are different aspects of safety ranging from abuse to actions you can take to make yourself feel safer.
Crime, fear of crime and anti-social behaviour is an important consideration in the quality of life of local communities.
Keeping people safe
Derbyshire Safeguarding Adults has lots of information about keeping safe and the range of help and support available.
Our keeping people safe leaflet is attached to this page.
Are you, or is someone you know, a vulnerable adult who is at risk and needs help? We provide information and assistance for vulnerable adults.
We're committed to preventing the abuse and neglect of vulnerable people in Derbyshire and provide information on how and where to report your concerns.
If you've experienced abuse, are currently experiencing it, or suspect someone else is then there are people and organisations that can help.
If you're worried about your safety or the safety of another adult or child or want to report abuse:
- contact the police tel: 999
- in non-emergency situations contact the police tel: 101
- Call Derbyshire tel: 01629 533190 from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday and from 9:30am to 4pm on Saturdays, or outside these times contact our out of hours service - by calling this number you can speak in confidence with someone who will listen to your concerns and explain the help available
There may be times when some information will need to be shared with other professional agencies, in the interests of the vulnerable adult or for the protection of the public. But you'll be kept informed of any action taken.
Always act whenever abuse is suspected. Your disclosure will be given protection under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
Safer Derbyshire also has lots of information about keeping people safe and the range of help and support available.
Doorstep safety
Bogus callers, sometimes known as doorstep thieves, are people who trick their way into peoples' homes with the intention of stealing money or property.
These people often work in teams of 2 or more and they usually prey on people who are older or vulnerable.
Bogus callers can be anyone and use many different ways to gain entry to your home. They pretend to be council officials, workmen from the gas or water board, or even the police.
Most official companies will send you a letter first and you can ask your gas, water or electricity supplier to give you a unique password for additional security.
Scams
Scams are frauds and tricks designed to cheat people out of their money. Scammers approach people in a variety of ways including by phone, post or online.
Anyone can fall for a scam, but the average age of a scam victim is 74. Lonely older people are more likely to be scammed than those who have family members or friends to support them.
Cheating people out of their money is financial abuse and we have a duty to protect vulnerable people from abuse under the Care Act 2014. The Pocket Guide to Scams leaflet attached to this page has information about the different type of scams, what to do if you or someone you know is being scammed and where to get support if you've fallen victim to a scam.
Read more about fighting back against scams.