Darker Nights Newsletter WMP

Dear Parents and Guardians,
RE: HAPPY, SAFE HALLOWEEN/BONFIRE NIGHT – REMINDER FROM WEST MIDLANDS POLICE

With the darker nights fast approaching, it is important that students are reminded what we, as a school

community, expect of them in terms of behaviour. Whilst we hope they will enjoy socialising with friends and
family during the half term break and the upcoming Halloween/Bonfire Night activities, we also want to ensure
they feel confident to keep themselves safe and away from danger, crime and anti-social behaviour. Parents,
carers and students should already be aware that as part of our safeguarding arrangements, the school has a
two-way information sharing agreement in place with West Midlands Police, and we are active members of the
local Police & Schools Panel. This joint-approach helps us to intervene early to prevent and reduce crime and
anti-social behaviour involving our students, and provide support and up-to-date safety messages. In partnership
with the police, we would like to remind our students about the following:-
• Anti-social behaviour: Halloween can be a scary time for people who don’t like surprises or callers at their door.
Think about how your actions and behaviour affect others; elderly and vulnerable people may be frightened by
‘trick or treat’ so look out for signs in windows that people do not want callers at their door.
• Personal Safety: be aware of your surroundings, take care of friends and family members and keep valuables
such as phones out of public view whenever possible, don’t drink alcohol, take illegal drugs or unknown
substances; they can have a big impact on your health and safety, behaviour and your ability to do well at school
and enjoy other interests and activities. They can also be addictive and have unpredictable side effects, including
sudden death! Information about firework safety is available at www.saferfireworks.com
• Weapons in public places: carrying a knife will get you a criminal record which can have life-long effects on
travel and job prospects. Those who carry knives are also much more likely to be injured by them.
• Off-road bikes: these can only be ridden if taxed, insured and driven on private land with the landowner’s
permission. Don’t risk your life and future prospects by illegally riding these on the road.
• Remember the company you keep: if your friend breaks the law, you may also be held responsible for that crime
– even if you weren’t the one directly responsible.
Yours faithfully
Your Local Solihull Policing Team
If you would like to download a copy of the no trick or treat card please use this link
https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/_flysystem/public-sync/inlinefiles/
57939C%20halloween%20card_Layout%201_4.pdf