Ask for Angela / Safe Haven / Taxi Marshals

Keeping Safe in the evening and night time economy.

Nights out in Doncaster can be great fun. A little forethought before going out will ensure a night to remember for the right reasons.

Ask for Angela

'Ask for Angela' is a very simple, yet effective, safety campaign to reduce or prevent sexual violence and vulnerability. The campaign aims to help anyone who feels unsafe, although it's primarily targeted at women.

The Safer Stronger Doncaster Partnership are working with National Pubwatch and local pubs, clubs and other licensed businesses in Doncaster and surrounding areas to spread awareness of a campaign that helps to keep people safe while enjoying a night out.

How to use 'Ask for Angela'

If you're out socialising in a participating venue and something just doesn't feel right - may be you're getting unwanted attention, you feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened - find a member of venue staff and ask for 'Angela'.

This code-phrase signals to the member of staff that you need discreet help to get out of the situation.

The member of staff will offer help, for example they could take you somewhere out of public view, make sure you're safely reunited with a friend, see you to a taxi, involve venue security or - in more serious situations - call the police.

Participating venues are encouraged to display material to show they support the scheme, so watch out for it.

Advice for staff using the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme in their venues

1. Offer to take the person asking for help to a part of the venue not in sight or the public or potential threat e.g. Staff room, kitchen, toilets
2. Offer to call the person a taxi or help them in calling a friend / family member to come and collect them
3. Where safe to do so (when the person asking for help is out of sight and staff are satisfied it is safe) request the person causing distress leaves the venue
4. Ask the person in distress what they want to do? (every person will have different request for help in distressing situations – do not assume anything)
5. Do not allow the person asking for help to leave the venues in sight of the person causing them distress as this could lead them to being followed and placed at higher risk
6. If the person causing distress becomes angry consider calling for assistance from the Police or door supervisors or following your policy on this issue

Doncaster Safe Haven

The Safe Haven is open to any vulnerable people who may need support on their night out in the City centre. Operating from the Unitarian & Free Christian Church (Hall Gate), the Doncaster Safe Haven provides a pastoral approach to help and support people who may find themselves in difficulty on a night out. The main function is to be a friendly presence and be on offer to provide hot tea and coffee and water and be able to support people in any way to avoid potential vulnerabilities that could lead to crime. It will be in operation on Friday 13th, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st of December (9pm - 1am). 

Taxi Marshals

Following their success during other busy periods this year, Taxi Marshals will also be patrolling every Friday and Saturday night in December and also on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The scheme aims to reduce incidents of disorder in and around taxi ranks by providing an official presence.

The marshals also provide support and reassurance to vulnerable people in the area and help to defuse confrontational situations. The scheme is part of a number of interventions introduced to tackle disorder linked to Doncaster’s evening and night time economy

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