Leeds City Council has launched the Night Safe Leeds initiative to enhance safety during the festive season in Leeds city centre, featuring street marshals, a Women’s Night Safe Space, and support for the LGBT+ community through the Angels of Freedom. The program aims to create a secure environment for all visitors, with resources like the WalkSafe app to help people plan safer routes and access immediate assistance when needed.
What is the Night Safe Leeds initiative?
Night Safe Leeds is a safety initiative by Leeds City Council aimed at promoting wellbeing during nighttime in the city centre. Key measures include street marshals on patrol, the Women’s Night Safe Space, support from Angels of Freedom for the LGBT+ community, and the WalkSafe app for safer route planning. The program ensures a coordinated response to incidents, enhancing public safety during festive times.
Introducing Night Safe Leeds
Leeds city centre is set to embrace the festive spirit with an expected surge in visitors and local residents enjoying the December merriments. Recognizing the need for enhanced safety measures during this period, the city council has introduced Night Safe Leeds, a comprehensive initiative designed to maintain peace and promote the wellbeing of everyone during the late hours.
The core mission of Night Safe Leeds is to offer guidance on staying safe and to highlight the extensive network of support available. As the city’s heartbeat grows stronger with Christmas parties and social events, the council, in collaboration with emergency services and community groups, is taking decisive action. The heightened foot traffic, while being a sign of the season’s joy, unfortunately brings an increased risk of untoward incidents. To counter this, the city has mobilized an array of resources.
One of the key components is the presence of street marshals. Donned in unmistakable high-visibility orange jackets, these marshals will patrol the city centre every weekend from 12pm to 3am throughout December. They stand ready to provide aid and address potential issues, ensuring that the festive atmosphere remains undisturbed.
Supportive Measures for Public Safety
A cornerstone of the initiative is the availability of targeted support services. For those who might feel vulnerable during the night, the Women’s Night Safe Space offers a sanctuary. Operational on Friday and Saturday evenings until 3am, this facility provides a secure environment for women who are feeling anxious or unwell. The unit is staffed by trained professionals, including healthcare providers and female security officers, who can deliver immediate assistance.
In addition to the Women’s Night Safe Space, the LGBT+ community can find support from the Angels of Freedom. Primarily active on Fridays until 11pm in the Freedom Quarter area, this group extends a warm hand of camaraderie and counsel.
For individuals seeking to manage their safety proactively, the WalkSafe app is an invaluable tool. This app aids in planning safer routes and enables the sharing of location details with friends or family. It also identifies participating venues in the ‘Ask for Angela’ initiative, which provides discreet support for individuals feeling unsafe or threatened.
Beyond the space of physical assistance, there is a technological layer that connects all on-street Night Safe Leeds services. These entities share real-time information and have a direct communication line to LeedsWatch, the city’s CCTV control room. This integrated approach ensures a swift and coordinated response to any arising issues.
Comments from City Officials
City officials are vocal about their commitment to public safety during this festive season. Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, emphasizes the city’s proactive stance: “We’ve launched this new initiative to spread the word on the measures you can take to keep yourself safe when you’re out and about in the city centre over the festive period. Any form of crime is unacceptable, and we want people to feel safe and be safe whatever time of day or night they are out in Leeds.”
Echoing this sentiment, Simon Hodgson, Leeds City Council’s head of community safety, provides practical advice: “The best way to stay safe is to remain with other people and not walk alone, so stay together and have an agreed location to meet if you separate. Take it easy, know your limits and make sure you understand the effects of alcohol and drugs. Keep an eye on your belongings as offenders often target visible and unattended property, especially phones, bags, and coats. Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right help is available as part of Night Safe Leeds.”
For those interested in learning more about the Night Safe Leeds program and the array of support options provided, further details can be found at Leeds City Council’s Night Safe page.
ENDS
- Leeds City Council has launched the Night Safe Leeds initiative to enhance nighttime safety in the city centre during the festive season.
- The initiative includes street marshals patrolling every weekend from 12pm to 3am throughout December to provide assistance and maintain safety.
- A Women’s Night Safe Space will be operational on Friday and Saturday evenings, offering a secure environment for women feeling anxious or unwell.
- Support for the LGBT+ community is provided by the Angels of Freedom, who are active in the Freedom Quarter area on Fridays until 11pm.
- The WalkSafe app helps individuals plan safer routes, share location details, and access support services, enhancing personal safety during nighttime outings.