New nighttime safety initiative as the city centre gets ready for a busy December

Leeds city centre is set to be busy over the festive season, with more people than normal being out and about at nighttime for Christmas parties and social gatherings.

The increase in footfall can unfortunately also mean a higher risk of anti-social behaviour incidents or crimes against the person, which is why the council is working closely with emergency services and trusted voluntary and community partners as part of Night Safe Leeds.

Aside from normal police presence, there will be street marshals, wearing high vis orange jackets, out in the city centre every weekend from 12pm to 3am during December. They can offer support and assistance to anyone who needs it, and deal with any issues before they escalate.

If something doesn’t feel right, there is also other support around. The Women’s Night Safe Space is available Friday and Saturday evenings until 3am, a safe space for women who are feeling concerned, unsafe or unwell. Support on and off the mobile unit is delivered by a trained multi-disciplinary team including healthcare professionals and female security staff.

In the Freedom Quarter area, the Angels of Freedom are out most Fridays until 11pm. They provide friendly support and advice to people from the LGBT+ communities.

The WalkSafe app can help plan safer journeys and is a way to share locations with family and friends. The app also shows many of the venues signed up to the Ask for Angela scheme, which lets people discreetly signal to staff if they feel unsafe or threatened and would like assistance. Trained staff can offer help like providing a safe space or calling a taxi.

All the on-street Night Safe Leeds services can communicate and share real time information and they have a direct link to LeedsWatch, the CCTV control room.

Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said: “We’ve launched this new initiative to spread the word on the measures you can take to keep yourself safe when you’re out and about in the city centre over the festive period. Any form of crime is unacceptable, and we want people to feel safe and be safe whatever time of day or night they are out in Leeds.

“Nightlife is a big part of what makes Leeds the place that it is and if something doesn’t feel right, there is support around.”

Simon Hodgson, Leeds City Council’s head of community safety, said: “We want people in Leeds city centre to be safe and feel safe, have a good experience, get home safely and of course return.

“The best way to stay safe is to remain with other people and not walk alone, so stay together and have an agreed location to meet if you separate. Take it easy, know your limits and make sure you understand the effects of alcohol and drugs. Keep an eye on your belongings as offenders often target visible and unattended property, especially phones, bags, and coats.  

“Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right help is available as part of Night Safe Leeds.”

To read more about what support is around visit https://leeds.gov.uk/nightsafe.

ENDS