‘Ask for Angela’: Scheme launched for people at risk in Telford venues
Nearly 80 pubs, clubs and shops across Telford have signed up for a scheme to help out those in uncomfortable or unsafe situations.
'Ask for Angela' has now launched in Telford & Wrekin, with 79 venues across Wellington, Oakengates, Ironbridge, Newport and Dawley getting involved.
Anyone who feels unsafe after meeting someone at one of those venues only needs to go to the bar and ask for Angela and they will be able to help them leave the area discreetly.
This could include taking them out of sight, calling for a taxi or even asking the person causing distress to leave the venue if appropriate.
Support for the scheme comes as venues in the town have reinforced their commitment to ensuring a safe and enjoyable night out for people by signing up to a Pubwatch scheme.
Pubwatch sees local licensed premises, supported by police and Telford & Wrekin Council, working together and sharing information to prevent crime and disorder. It also aims to help keep people who may be vulnerable safe and away from harm.
Sergeant Ram Aston, from Telford's harm reduction hub, said it was fantastic to see so many people come together to help make the town's nightlife as safe as possible.
He said: "Our aim is to make sure people who are enjoying a night out or a few drinks in their local pub can do so safely and by working together in partnership licensed premises play a huge role in helping us achieve this.
"It's fantastic that so many premises have signed up to both Pubwatch and Ask for Angela, and reinforces their commitment to make our town even safer. I'm looking forward to supporting them as our work continues."
Superintendent Tom Harding, local policing commander for Telford, said: "Together with Telford & Wrekin Council we have already carried out a lot of work to make sure we protect those who are most vulnerable in our communities with vulnerability training delivered to licensed premises, hotels and local businesses right across the town.
"This is the next step in our work to reduce vulnerability and I'm pleased so many of our licensed premises have signed up to the scheme. We've already made great progress in our work to tackle vulnerability however are not complacent and I look forward to continuing to work with our partners to make our communities even safer."
Safer neighbourhood teams are also out on foot making contact with other licensed premises to sign them up to the Ask for Angela campaign. Any premises which are not yet signed up can contact their local safer neighbourhood team.
Police said emergency services should always be called if a situation becomes hostile, threatening or there is cause for concern about the victim's safety.
Ask for Angela is the latest part of an ongoing campaign to improve safety across Telford & Wrekin.
Hundreds of people have already gotten involved in two hour training sessions run by Sgt Aston highlighting how those working in the night time economy can be more aware of things like domestic abuse, drug use and child sexual exploitation.
The sessions are designed to encourage participants to report anything that might make them feel uncomfortable to police.
Whether it is an unhappy looking child with expensive gifts checking into a hotel or colleagues suddenly changing personality or looking more dishevelled, they are hoping people feel comfortable enough to come forward.
The training course includes a presentation with video and a work booklet.
