MORE than 40 West Oxfordshire businesses have signed up to a national scheme to help anyone feeling lost, worried or threatened when they are out.

Safe Places has already launched in Witney, Carterton, Burford, Bampton, Woodstock and Eynsham, and is currently being rolled out in Chipping Norton.

First to sign up, and be approved, in Chipping Norton are Boots and the Midcounties Coop Pharmacy.

Yasin Jussab, pharmacy manager at the Midcounties Coop said: “I’m a big fan of Safe Places and I can’t think of a better place for someone who’s vulnerable to come to than the local pharmacy.

“We already deal with all sorts of situations concerning customers and patients in which we provide support, our staff are trained and we have safeguarding models in place."

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Participating businesses display the Safe Places logo, while vulnerable people can ask for a special card with the details of someone who can be contacted if they need help.

In West Oxfordshire, the scheme first started in Witney in December 2015 and there are now 42 establishments approved.

Norman MacRae, cabinet member for community safety at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Safe Places is a really simple idea, but one that is proving very effective as we know that a number of people have already been helped in West Oxfordshire.

"It is especially good for those with dementia, learning disabilities or mental health needs.”

Each business is checked beforehand by Police Community Support Officers and they also promote the scheme to vulnerable adults.

Call Jennifer Bennett at West Oxfordshire District Council on 01993 861000 or the Safe Places co-ordinator, Kathy Liddell on 01993 358347, for more details.