Don't stand back and watch.. take action and help!

Expert offers advice on intervening safely, He pleads for Scots to unite to stop attacks

- RUTH SUTTER

A RETIRED cop who spent 30 years tackling violence has made a powerful plea to kids who film attacks on other children.

Ex-chief inspector Graham Goulden spoke as part of the Daily Record's Our Kids... Our Future campaign on the importance of taking action as a bystander who witnesses youth violence.

The campaign - launched in February after a series of attacks on kids were filmed and shared online - calls for everyone in Scotland to play a part in ensuring children are protected from violence.

It also calls for ring-fenced funding to ensure every community has a safe place for kids to go and for social media giants to stop the circulation of harmful content.

Goulden, 54, is now sending a clear message to kids who watch and film attacks to step up to prevent bullies from carrying out further assaults.

He said: "We are all bystanders but it's what you do in difficult situations that defines which kind of bystander you are.

"An active bystander is someone who is aware of somebody's threatening behaviour and chooses to challenge it.