GIVEAWAYS to help people stay safe were handed out to shoppers in Darwen.

Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team teamed up with the council and data destruction company, Shred Easy, for the personal safety event in Darwen town centre.

Funded by Blackburn with Darwen Community Safety Partnership, the team offered free purse alarms and personal attack alarms to the elderly plus a limited number of shredders.

The team also offered data link pots as part of the crime prevention drive.

These are used to record important information, such as medication and next of kin, in the event of an emergency.

The Fire Service also gave fire safety advice.