A pilot scheme of Sheffield’s ‘Safe Square’ where help will be readily available for anyone who feels unsafe on a night out, is set to open this winter.
The area will open from 3rd December in Leopold Square.
In addition to providing a secure area for vulnerable people to wait for their friends, it will also be equipped with a full medical team, a free phone charging station and immediate testing if someone feels they have been spiked.
Simon Tomlinson, 34, co- creator of Safe Square and Skyline festival, said: “I thought this should’ve been instinctive.
“It isn’t really anything innovative but what should form the basics of any major city’s night time economy.”
The project will see the combined expertise of medical staff, police, and members of the Security Industry Authority to ensure vulnerable people on a night out are appropriately looked after.
Every weekend in December, the Safe Square will be open 8pm – 3am.
Mr Tomlinson said: “Hopefully it will reduce the pressure on national services such as A&E and increase the confidence in people knowing that Sheffield is a safe destination.”
Kayleigh Waine, 26, General Manager of Bamboo Door Cocktail bar, assisted in the creation. She said: “I have always been as active as I could to make nights out safer, but got even more involved after spiking numbers rose.”
Miss Waine, a member of the Women’s Nighttime Safety Charter, then began creating her own safety policies which have been implemented by bigger events.
She added: “Amazing work has been done in other cities and it only makes sense that Sheffield sees these benefits too.
“We are hoping that this helps make the city feel like a safer place and gives people confidence to step out with their friends knowing that if they need help or support the Safe Square is there for them.”
