A new night-time safety charter designed to keep people safe is being launched in Liverpool on Wednesday 11 March.
It is a list of safety pledges that bars, clubs and restaurants which are open from 6pm – 6am agree to sign up to.
By signing the charter, employers are communicating their commitment to a zero-tolerance stance on harassment and improving the safety of their staff and customers.
It will also benefit staff and customers in shops, gyms/leisure centres, transport, hotels, and cultural and hospitality venues after dark.
The charter promotes the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme which enables anyone feeling unsafe, threatened, or vulnerable to discreetly seek help. This could be on a date or night out, when working out in the gym or just popping to the local shop.
Liverpool City Council is working with partners including Merseyside Police and Nightlife CIC on the night-time safety charter, which will offer:
- Free staff training
- Advice on how to help customers, and staff, report harassment and unacceptable behaviour
- Promotional material about the scheme to communicate with customers and staff
Businesses are asked to commit to seven pledges:
- Champion: Appoint a champion to lead any action and offer support
- Communicate: Create a positive communication campaign for the public and staff. Both online and in your spaces
- Support your staff: Give clear ways for staff to report unacceptable behaviour at work. Support cultural change
- Support the public: Make sure your customers know how to report any unacceptable behaviour they experience in your space
- Train to respond: Train staff on how to respond. Bystander training is key. Include any relevant policies
- Train to record: Train staff on how to record the right information, and how to share confidential details
- Design for safety: Audit your space regularly. Make the environment safer and reduce the risk of misconduct.
The charter is part of wider work such as Liverpool’s Purple Flag accreditation acknowledging the range of initiatives which keep people safe after dark. The city has had the status for 16 years in recognition of its diverse range of leisure and entertainment activities in a safe and welcoming environment.
Cabinet Member for Safer Stronger Communities, Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins, said: “We are proud of Liverpool’s reputation as a safe and welcoming city each year for millions of people from around the world.
“This new scheme is designed to build on the strong partnership that already exists in our city and work hand in glove with our night-time economy businesses to ensure their staff and customers have the best possible experience.
“Everyone deserves the right to work or have a night out without being harassed and feeling threatened, and our Night- Time Safety Charter aims to help keep them safe.”
Sergeant Craig Carmichael, from Merseyside Police’s Licensing Team, said: “Liverpool has a well earned reputation as a safe, welcoming city and we are committed to working closely with Liverpool City Council and our partners to make sure everyone can enjoy the night time economy without fear of harassment or harm.
“Through initiatives such as Ask for Angela training for licensed premises, our new Operation Halo deployment, and Operation Empower patrols in the night time economy, officers are taking proactive steps to protect anyone who may feel vulnerable and tackle Violence Against Women and Girls. These efforts, alongside the new Night-Time Safety Charter, help create environments where both staff and the public know how to seek support and feel confident that concerns will be taken seriously.
“Merseyside Police will continue to work hard to keep people safe, and we welcome every business that signs up to the charter as another vital partner in building a safer Liverpool for all.”
Iwona Kossek, Co-director of Ask for Angela, said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe when enjoying Liverpool’s night-time economy, whether they are out with friends, working or simply travelling through the city.
“The Night-Time Safety Charter is a positive step that brings venues and partners together to take a clear stand against harassment and unacceptable behaviour. We’re proud that Ask for Angela is part of this work, giving people a discreet way to seek help if they feel unsafe.”
University of Liverpool student, Leia-Rose Mills, who has helped shape the charter, said: “Liverpool’s student population will benefit beyond belief with the Councils Night=Time Safety Charter.
“Having venues that you feel safe in when you move to a new city is undoubtedly a priority.”
More information about the Night-Time Safety Charter can be found at https://liverpool.gov.uk/communities-and-safety/liverpool-s-night-time-safety-charter/.
