A NEW public awareness campaign is being launched to urge people in Renfrewshire to call the council or the police if they are worried about a child.

The £30,000 'No Harm Done' project is funded by Renfrewshire Council.

It features adverts on local radio, in pubs and clubs, on bus shelters and on council vehicles.

Andrew Lowe, chairman of the council's child protection committee said: "This campaign should make people stop and think about what they have seen or heard.

"We know good people often worry about a child but don't do anything about their concerns.

"Sometimes it is difficult to know what to do. Sometimes we don't know who to call.

"Sometimes we are not sure if what we are seeing is something we need to worry about.

"Sometimes we are worried but we dismiss it because someone else will do something about it.

"Sometimes we just don't want to get involved, or cause problems with family, friends or neighbours.

"But at the root of these concerns is a child's safety. It is hard for many people to accept but the person looking after a child is the one most likely to neglect or abuse them.

"If we are worried about how someone is behaving in public, we must ask, 'What are they like behind closed doors?'

"If you are at all worried about a child, please contact social work services. If you think a child is in danger, call the police. It won't do any harm and you don't even need to give your name. But your call might make all the difference to a child.

"Maybe you feel what you know isn't important but snippets of information can build into a bigger picture of abuse or neglect. It's everyone's job to make sure children in Renfrewshire are safe."

If you're worried about a child call social work on 0300 300 1199 or Police Scotland on 101 or 999.

You can find out more about what to look out for and how we can all help keep children safe at www.no-worries.org.uk