Borough policing groups are to investigate a partnership with local businesses and charity shops to offer a 'Safe Place' to people, including children, in fear.

The move is being considered in response to recent muggings of both children and adults in the borough.

A Safe Place scheme has already been implemented in Barnes and there is now scope to roll it out to other locations across the borough.

The idea, which has been tried in other parts of Britain and the USA, is being championed by Wendy Kyrle-Pope.

She is both a member of the Richmond Safer Neighbourhood Board and standing in as chair for the Barnes Police Liaison Group, which she founded nearly 30 years ago.

The Safer Neighbourhood Board (SNB) brings together the police and communities to establish local policing and crime priorities.

Poster being used in Barnes to identify Safe Place locations. Barnes Community Association.

Residents in Barnes have sounded the alarm following a series of recent muggings involving adults and children making their way home from school.

Victims were robbed of valuables, including phones and even designer label clothes.

The local police indicated that the culprits were known criminals crossing Hammersmith Bridge in search of rich pickings in Barnes.

Mrs Kyrle-Pope said: "The Safe Place initiative came from an idea I had in response to the very grave concerns raised by residents at last month's Barnes Police Liaison Group."

She said there was a particular concern for children making their way home from school and how to offer reassurance and protection.

Consequently, she came up with the idea that shops in the area might like to offer themselves as a 'Safe Place' to provide a refuge in an emergency.

So far, four have come forward. The outlets have been vetted and they identify themselves to passers-by with a poster in the window.

Mrs Kyrle-Pope said: "When anyone, child or adult, is threatened or actually attacked, the tendency is to freeze, not know what to do. If home is too far away, where do you go for help?

"Small local businesses and charities are the answer - very carefully selected to ensure that those working there are totally honourable and understand how to help.

"The response I got when I asked them to help was amazing. Businesses are part of any community and are so keen to help."

Local Councillors in Barnes, Fiona Sacks and Marjory Millum, together with Emma Robinson, the Town Centre manager for the Barnes Community Association have been instrumental in the roll out of the Safe Place imitative.

The four Space Place locations are Natson's Newsagent 53 Church Road; Barnes Pharmacy, 5 Barnes High Street; The OSO Arts Centre, Barnes Green; and in North Barnes, The Bridge, 204 Castelnau.

The Richmond Safer Neighbourhood Board (SNB) covers the whole borough, and Mrs Mrs Kyrle-Pope said the scheme could be introduced in other wards should the need arise.

"The SNB can ask the 16 Police Liaison Groups to help, in selecting the Safe Places (as local knowledge is vital to ensure that they are indeed safe), and the various ward councillors can help promote it," she said.

The SNB also supports the Police's 'Ask Angela' scheme in pubs and clubs, the Safer Space initiative at Richmond Station, plus its own projects for Women's Safety (Go Girl) and outreach via hairdressers and beauty professionals on Domestic and Elder Abuse.

The SNB is funded by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime. It works in very close partnership with the Police and the Council, but is politically independent.

* The Safe Place initiative is due to be discussed at the SNB's next meeting at York House, Twickenham, at 7pm on July 25.