Helping residents to enjoy a safe and merry night out this holiday season

Article date: 19 December 2024

At this special time of year, the council is highlighting the additional measures put in place to ensure that residents are safe and well, and that nights out are memorable for all the right reasons.

Everyone has the right to enjoy a night out without fearing for their safety in any way, so over Christmas and New Year the council is trialling a new Assistance Point initiative with funding from the Night Time Economy Forum NTE Forum (provided by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner).

This sheltered area will have phone chargers, seating, foil blankets and bottled water as an assistance point for those who need help.

Staffed by SIA (Security Industry Authority) trained taxi marshals, a gazebo will be located outside Kandy Klub and Gibney's Jewellers on the corner of Westfield Street and Ormskirk Street, in operation on the 20th, 21st, 26th, 27th, 28th and 31st December between 10pm - 4am. Taxi rank marshals will also be equipped with phone chargers and are based at Ormskirk Street rank, Britannia Waterloo Street and AtoB corner of Baldwin Street.

The council has already relaunched its 'Know Your Ride' campaign during the run up to Christmas, highlighting the Gold Standard that locally licensed taxis have achieved. The Gold Standard is proudly displayed on local taxis and gives passengers peace of mind that their driver has undergone rigorous background checks, local knowledge testing, comprehensive safeguarding training, and thorough vehicle inspections.

The NTE which is made up of licensed premises, restaurants, police, taxi companies and council officers in Licensing and Community Safety, has also paid for additional training for bar staff so they can identify when customers may be vulnerable.

The training has been well received by participating premises, with one owner commenting: "I do think it was very useful as it's highlighted to our staff the different ways in which customers could be vulnerable in and around our venue, and removed the stereotyping that could sometimes occur with these vulnerable situations."

Councillor Trisha Long, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Supporting Neighbourhoods, said: "Protecting our community and ensuring safety in the night-time economy is vital and we are working closely with our NTE Forum members, community safety partners and volunteer organisations in this regard.

"Initiatives like our Know Your Ride campaign, our assistance point trial over the festive period and the extensive work undertaken by our licensing and community safety teams, are all ensuring a safer environment for patrons and staff alike."

This commitment to safety and community care is among the reasons that St Helens Town Centre celebrated Purple Flag Award reaccreditation in October.

It's the second year that the town centre has secured the award, an international accreditation programme that recognises those who are striving to achieve safe and thriving locations at night for all visitors.