An innovative safety campaign which allows people who feel vulnerable in pubs or bars to discreetly signal for help is being rolled out across Bury. The scheme allows individuals who could be feeling threatened, uncomfortable or unsafe on a date to get help by approaching the bar and “Asking for Angela.”

The popularity of dating apps mean that more people might find themselves in difficult situations, having this scheme in place makes people feel safer.

People can be taken aside or to a safe location so they can speak in confidence about what help they may need. Staff could then call someone a taxi discreetly, contact their friends or family or ask the individual causing the distress to leave the venue. It may be that people find themselves vulnerable and in the company of someone who is not what they seemed and they want to get away safely and with minimum fuss. This initiative will facilitate this and hopefully prevent situations from escalating into something more serious. Of course where scenarios do develop staff will contact police to attend the scene and deal in the usual manner.

The scheme has raised awareness among bar staff and encouraged them to look out for potentially vulnerable customers.

The domestic violence and abuse forum, which meets on a quarterly basis is backing this campaign. The forum consists of partner agencies, services across the borough of bury and volunteers. If you would like to get involved with the forum, please email communitysafetyteam@bury.gov.uk.