Inverness is the first city in Scotland to introduce a pioneering safety scheme. The new "Family Safe" zone creates a safety infrastructure which will help parents and carers find their charges should they become separated within Inverness City Centre.

The Family Safe zone, covering the entire city centre shopping area, including the Eastgate Shopping Centre, launched successfully on Saturday 7 April.

Inverness is the first city in Scotland to introduce a pioneering safety scheme. The new "Family Safe" zone creates a safety infrastructure which will help parents and carers find their charges should they become separated within Inverness City Centre.

The project is being run as part of the Inverness Business Improvement Scheme pilot project, to demonstrate what could be achieved if businesses vote "yes" for a BID later this year. The scheme will last for a year in the first instance.

Stefan Krause, Inverness City Centre Management's BID Co-ordinator commented:

"We have been asking businesses what they would like to see in the future. A commonly raised theme is the desire is to see a city centre which is more "family friendly". The Family Safe Zone gives an extra safety service for families and so helps position Inverness as a safer place for all"

The Family Safe zone, covering the entire city centre shopping area, including the Eastgate Shopping Centre, launched successfully on Saturday 7 April.

Child Safe has been successfully introduced in 65 shopping centres and cities across the UK since it was launched in 2003, but has never operated as Family Safe scheme before throughout an entire city centre. The initiative gives retailers free wristbands to give out to parents or carers who ask for them. The parent/carer then writes their contact numbers on the reverse and puts the band on the child or relative's wrist. In the event of a child being lost, the parent or guardian can be contacted quickly. The wristbands will be available free of charge from shops in the Old Town, Eastgate Shopping Centre, Victorian Market, High Street, Tourism Info, Library, and the BID Business Task Team.

By calling the dedicated Family Safe number 08700 62 18 55 parents and guardians will be put in contact with retailers' security teams and the police, who will use a coordinated approach and CCTV to re-unite them with their children.

The Inverness Family Safe helpline number is displayed on bright, eye-catching posters in shop windows and when a parent or guardian calls 08700 62 18 55 they will be directed to the relevant security team.

Stefan Krause, BID Co-ordinator, said "Child Safe has been operating successfully in 65 shopping centres and cities across the UK so we are delighted to be the first city centre in Scotland to introduce the Family Safe scheme city wide to include retailers in Old Town Inverness as well as High Street and Eastgate Shopping Centre. The scheme gives shoppers peace of mind and reassures them that if their child gets lost this service can assist in finding them quickly".

Richard Manville, Director and co-founder of Child Safe 

"We are thrilled to launch the first city wide Family Safe scheme in Inverness and are pleased to be working with the BID team from ICCM, who have been very supportive in coordinating the scheme amongst their businesses in the BID area".

Elizabeth MacDonald Highland Carer Services Manager, Alzheimer Scotland, Tel 711707

"Becoming separated from your relative or carer when out shopping is a very frightening experience whether you are young or old or whether or not you have a confusional illness.  This is not an uncommon occurance for people with dementia and their carers and sometimes just the fear of this happening is enough to prevent valuable social outings.  Having a stranger search in pockets or handbags for identification if information is unable to be volunteered can be misinterpreted and intrusive.  A wristband is more accessible yet discreet. I welcome measures that help people to continue to socialise normally with increased peace of mind". 

Peter Crabtree, Deputy Store Manager, Debenhams UK. 

"We see at least three cases a week of lost individuals approaching us for help. "Here in Debenhams we do encounter children who have been distracted and have lost a parent or guardian, however, the problem is not just confined to minors. Visitors to the store who are unfamiliar with the layout frequently get lost and separated from their shopping party. Many bus tour customers who visit Debenhams arrange to meet at a designated place only to find one party member missing. There are so many escalators and lifts that it is easy for the most discerning customer to get disorientated. We recognise that "Family Safe" will encompass all ages and be more efficient at reuniting family and friends"

Graine Riach, Manager, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Inverness High Street. Telephone 237545

"Peace of mind is very important for everybody. This scheme provides such reassurance and will help people feel more at ease about coming in to the city centre with children or older relatives. It is most welcome"

Suzy Prior, Manager Early Learning Centre, Eastgate Centre Inverness.

"I get on average one or two lost children in my shop every week. During the holidays it can be as many as three or four a day. The Early Learning Centre is regarded as a safe zone by children who get separated form their families - they find their way here and ask us for help as they feel we are a safe place. This new scheme will let us get families back together all the more quickly, so making a visit to Inverness city centre a more pleasant experience for all "

Isobel Maine, Manager Boots, Easgtate Centre.

"This scheme will make Inverness all the more family friendly. The Family Safe Zone will raise confidence and allow Inverness to deliver a more relaxed shopping experience for carers, parents and staff"

Hugh Grant, Proprietor Heraldic Art & Design.

"We welcome the scheme as it will help position Inverness as a safer and more enjoyable place to be"

Harry Lawless, Victorian Market Superintendant

"I've had two people lost in the last two weeks - a boy aged about six and an elderly person. The Family Safe Zone will be handy for families who lose each other and help them to get back together more quickly"

Stefan Krause, ICCMs BID Co-ordinator commented

This project has seen us take comments from traders throughout the city and devise a scheme which will be of assistance to all. I am very grateful to all the retailers who have given me feedback so far, and to the support we are getting from the Eastgate centre's security team that is helping us get this scheme off the ground. Eastgate continue to be a member of ICCM and it is through this membership that they are working closely with me to develop ideas for an Inverness BID, along with input from traders throughout the city.