Ask Angela scheme hits major milestone

THE Ask for Angela scheme has reached a milestone of being implemented into 150 venues across Leicestershire and Rutland, nine of which can be found across our Borough.

The initiative aims to provide customers with a way to remove themselves from a difficult or uncomfortable situation while on a date.

The achievement comes more than nine months since the initiative was first launched to coincide with Valentine’s Day, with increased numbers of pubs and bars having now signed up to the scheme.

Councillor Ivan Ould, cabinet member for community safety at Leicestershire County Council, said: “Ask for Angela is a simple yet effective scheme designed to provide support and reassurance for members of the public if they are feeling vulnerable or unsafe while out on a date.

“With the festive period now upon us, it is a good time to remind people planning to go out during this time to consider meeting at a venue running the Ask for Angela scheme to ensure that support is available should a date not turn out as planned.”

By asking for ‘Angela’, an individual is alerting staff that they require help; which may be due to the actions, words or behaviour of the person they have met.

They will then be taken aside, or to a safer location, so they can speak in confidence to that staff member about what assistance they need.

Across Hinckley and Bosworth, nine pubs and restaurants have signed up to the scheme, including; The Blue Bell Inn, Desford, The Kase Hotel, The Union Inn, Black Horse, The Bounty Pub and Steamin Billy, Hinckley and The Red Lion and Sketchley Grange of Burbage.

Sergeant Leon Gamble, added: “It’s very pleasing to see that so many licenses across Leicestershire have adopted this scheme. We hope that, through the course of time, this will grow even larger.

“Any initiative which helps make people feel safer is to be supported.”

Establishments across all Leicestershire’s districts and boroughs including; Blaby, Charnwood, Melton, Hinckley and Bosworth and Oadby and Wigston have now signed up to the scheme, as well as venues in Rutland.

Visit the website at www. leicestershire.gov.uk/AskforAngela.