A NEW scheme has been launched to help keep vulnerable people safe.

The ‘Keep Safe Cymru’ card designed to assist people with a learning disability, dementia, mental health or communication needs has been launched by North Wales Police.

The card can be carried by anyone who wants to keep contact details close at hand or help with reporting a crime - especially hate crime.

The scheme, which was originally launched in the South Wales Police area in 2016, works by helping the cardholder should they need assistance - whether they are lost, if they are a victim of crime or if they are in a situation that means they need some extra support.

The card will hold basic information about the individual such as how they communicate, if they have any health issues and any emergency contacts such as parents or carers.

When an individual registers for a Keep Safe Cymru card they will also be given access to the Police Disability Line. This is a dedicated non-emergency telephone number for people with a disability to use to contact the police. When calling this number the call handler will be aware before they speak to the caller that they have a disability. This is not an alternative to the emergency 999 service; it is to be used instead of the non-emergency line only.

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Debicki said: “The card is an excellent opportunity and support mechanism that will enable us to engage with people with learning difficulties, dementia, mental health and a communication need.

“Everybody has the right to feel safe in their communities.

“This initiative will enable us to be more accessible to our diverse communities, which will build personal confidence and encourage the reporting of incidents and crime to us."

Please call 01745 538467 for more information about the card.See this week's north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday