A scheme to protect scared young people on Enfield’s streets has won a national award.

The Enfield Community Help Point Scheme (CHPS) took home the prize for “staying safe” at the Children and Young People’s Awards.

The scheme, a partnership between Enfield Council, the police and Enfield’s Children’s Trust, has seen the creation of 100 “Panic Points” across the borough.

The special safe havens have staff checked by the Criminal Records Bureau and are at locations like police stations, shops, small businesses and libraries.

The staff are trained to help young people. The idea behind the scheme is that young people who feel threatened in any way while out and about in Enfield can reach one of these safe points to get help.

All Enfield schoolchildren have details of the safe points, including leisure and community centres, and maps showing the closest ones to their schools, .

Scheme member and owner of La Dolce Piazza café in Edmonton Green, Caterina Vetrano, said: “We want to do all we can to help anyone who may feel threatened, particularly young people.

“We have had excellent training and feel confident we can provide the security that will help a young person to overcome a fear.”

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls gave the Enfield team their award at the ceremony on Sunday.

He said: “The scheme is an excellent example of what can be achieved by working together and is a way of ensuring the safety of many of Enfield’s young people.”

Councillor Glynis Vince, cabinet member for education, children’s services and youth, said: “This is a great example of the work of our Children’s Trust.

“Our partners have worked extremely hard to create a scheme that offers help to young people. I offer my congratulations.”