A scheme aimed at supporting disabled people to keep themselves safe and to get help in the event of an emergency has been launched in Harpenden.

As part of the Keep Safe scheme, retailers, businesses, public services and community services are invited to join, and to provide local disabled people with a place to make a phone call in the event of an emergency.

With support from local organisations, the Daylight Club, Harpenden Mencap and Community Meeting Point, Harpenden is now the first town in Hertfordshire to offer this expanded service.

Around 65 people attended the launch at the Public Halls in Harpenden on Thursday, March 26, including local disabled people who have been taking part in the Keep Safe training, along with police officers and PCSOs, before heading out into Harpenden to place stickers in the windows of local businesses joining the scheme.

The distinctive orange Keep Safe stickers were put up in 13 shops including, Nottingham Building Society, Boots, Sainsbury’s, WH Smith, Threads, M&Co, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and Martin’s.

Keep Safe lead for Harpenden, PCSO Del Holloway, said: "Through working with Herts People First, to set up Keep Safe over the past few months, I have met and worked with more than 50 local disabled people from whom I have learnt a lot - even though I was providing the training.

"This is what my job is all about - getting to know my local community, making sure people are safe and that they know how to contact me if need be."

Keep Safe Co-ordinator for Herts People First Jane Dellow, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Constabulary to introduce Keep Safe across the county.

"Local disabled people, their support organisations and the local police safer neighbourhood team have worked well together to set up Keep Safe in Harpenden.

"Very good relationships have been built up between disabled people and the local officers and this is a great example of neighbourhood policing at its best.

"Sometimes disabled people are not sure about approaching the police for help. When working in a team with their local officers to set up Keep Safe, they get the chance to meet the people behind the uniforms and soon realise there is nothing to fear and it is the same for local officers who get to meet the people behind the disability.

"Disabled people in Harpenden have told me that in getting to know their local police they have a much greater confidence to contact them.

"Disabled people really like the Keep Safe community safety scheme - and say that it is reassuring for them to know where they can get help and support if need be and how their local community, business and services are so welcoming of the scheme."