Wrexham bars support ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme to help those who feel unsafe on a night out

Bars across Wrexham are taking part in a scheme encouraging people to discreetly ask for help by going to the bar to ‘Ask for Angela’.

The aim is that by using the codeword people who are feeling vulnerable on a night out or a date can approach the bar and ask for Angela. The staff are then alerted to the situation and can help.

The initiative aims to reduce sexual violence and vulnerability by providing customers with a discreet way to gain assistance from staff in order to get help when they feel unsafe due to a person’s actions, words or behaviour.

Once alerted, staff can then offer to call a taxi, contact their friends or family or ensure that the individual causing the distress leaves the venue.

Cllr Hugh Jones, lead member for communities, partnerships, public protection and community safety said: “This is a simple yet effective scheme which empowers members of the public to seek help if they are feeling vulnerable, by allowing them to raise concerns with staff.

“It may be that they are 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 we know bar staff will contact police to attend the scene“

Available at participating venues across Wrexham, just look out for the ‘Ask for Angela’ posters or ask bar staff.