A campaign has been launched in Coventry to raise awareness of a discreet safety initiative which provides help to people feeling vulnerable on a night out.
Ask for Angela is a national scheme in operation at hospitality venues across Coventry City Centre and helps people to ask for help from staff if they feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened.
It has been operating in the city for a number of years, but there are concerns that awareness of the initiative has reduced.
Coventry Business Improvement District (BID), Coventry City Council and West Midlands Police have joined together to ensure that the public know about the scheme and will also be working with businesses on training for employees.
Pubs, bars, music venues, restaurants and nightclubs operate the Ask for Angela initiative, with participating venues displaying the Ask for Angela vinyl in their window after staff have completed their training.
Staff at participating businesses are trained to recognise the safe word ‘Angela’.
People feeling uncomfortable or unsafe at any point during their visit can simply go up to the bar and ask for Angela. This signals to staff at the venue that the individual requires help, and staff will then discreetly offer support, depending on the situation.
The scheme is often associated only with women’s safety, however that is not the case and it can also be used by men.
Coventry BID and Coventry City Council have partnered on launching a new online platform which will support businesses operating in night-time economy with ensuring staff are trained.
Ask for Angela isn’t exclusively available to licenced premises, it can be utilised by all businesses, for example visitor attractions, shops and cafes can all adopt the scheme.
Joanne Glover, Chief Executive of Coventry BID, said: “Everyone should feel safe, secure and protected when they are visiting the fantastic businesses we have in the city centre, whether they are on a date or a night out with friends.
“We are working with businesses across the city to get as many businesses as possible to participate in Ask for Angela. We have a great community in the city’s nighttime economy that puts customer safety as its highest priority.
“Every year thousands of people will head into the city centre for their first night out and it’s vital that we raise awareness with those people of how the scheme works, so if they are ever in a situation where they need support, they know the steps to take.”
Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities and Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council, added: “It’s vital that all visitors to, and staff working in the city centre at any time, should feel safe. At night time, in particular it is important that people have the reassurance that they can turn to someone for support and help when they are visiting our wonderful, bars, clubs and restaurants.
“There is a real partnership commitment to this scheme, and we would love more hospitality venues to be a part of it.”
Chief Inspector Hamir Godhania, lead for neighbourhood policing teams in Coventry, said: “Everyone should feel safe when enjoying a night out in Coventry, and the Ask for Angela scheme is a vital part of making that happen.
“We’re proud to be working alongside Coventry BID, Coventry City Council, and local businesses to raise awareness and ensure support is always available for anyone feeling unsafe or vulnerable.
“Our officers are out on patrol in and around the city centre every night—both in uniform and plain clothes—keeping a close eye on what’s happening and ready to step in if needed. If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsure, please don’t hesitate to speak to one of our officers or use the Ask for Angela scheme at participating venues.
“By working together, we can make Coventry a safer, more welcoming place for everyone who lives, works, and visits our city.”
To find out more about Ask for Angela contact support@coventrybid.co.uk or licensing@coventry.gov.uk