More than 750 people supported by Cheshire Constabulary’s safety buses

Cheshire Constabulary’s new ‘safe space’ safety buses supported more than 750 night-time revellers over the festive period.

The specially adapted vehicles were in attendance in Chester city centre and some of the county’s busiest town centres on 23 separate nights.   

They were clearly visible with the Constabulary’s Safer Streets branding and parked in prominent night-time hot spots. 

Providing a safe space for vulnerable people, the vehicles have on-board safety equipment such as defibrillators, first aid kits, phone chargers and bottles of water.

They are staffed by police officers who are on hand to ensure that anyone in need of help is cared for until they are able to go home safely.  

Over the 23 nights, more than 750 people were supported with requirements ranging from needing to charge their mobile phones to help with getting home. 

As well as helping those in need, the safety buses act as a focal point where officers can effectively engage with the public. This gave officers an ideal opportunity to let people know about the safety app, Hollie Guard, that is being promoted as part of Cheshire Constabulary’s Safer Streets initiative.    

Hollie Guard is a next generation safety app with enhanced features that allow users to nominate emergency contacts to be alerted should they not reach a destination safely, come under attack, or fall and become injured. 

The safety app is free to download and, when introduced to its benefits, over 100 people instantly downloaded it on their night out.

Chief Constable for Cheshire Constabulary, Mark Roberts, said: “Tackling violence against women and girls is a national policing priority and Cheshire Constabulary takes a pro-active, innovative and zero tolerance approach to tackling the issue.  

“Cheshire’s police officers are on the front line, taking action against perpetrators and working relentlessly to safeguard vulnerable women and girls. 

“We recognise that there are male victims in the night-time economy but, statistically, women and girls make up a very high percentage of those suffering sexual harassment and sexual violence. This is why we won’t stop in our endeavour to tackle violence against women and girls.

“The safety buses play an important part in our Safer Streets initiative, providing a “safe space” for vulnerable people to take refuge when they need it. I was pleased to see them in operation over the festive season and they will continue to be out supporting people in the county’s nightlife hot spots at weekends.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer said: “I was delighted to secure the Safer Streets funding that has meant we’re able to use these buses and the Hollie Guard app as part of the Constabulary’s work to tackle violence against women and girls, and I’m even more delighted to see them working in practice to protect people.

“These initiatives are providing practical support for women and girls, and I’ve always been clear that we need to change attitudes in wider society too. It’s only through engaging with young people and teaching them how to play an active part in keeping our streets safe that we will make this a reality, and the safety buses mean we can do just that.

“Please do download the app and keep an eye out for the safety buses if you’re out and about. Officers are here for you, and I want women and girls to be reassured that the Constabulary and I will continue working with partners across Cheshire to make our streets even safer.”

Operational lead for the Constabulary’s Safer Streets initiative, Superintendent Claire Jesson, added: “We first piloted the safety buses in Cheshire East last year. It proved so effective and popular with the public that we were keen to have more vehicles in busy night-time areas across Cheshire. 

“The Safer Streets funding has enabled us to buy three vehicles which are now in operation each Friday and Saturday night in the county’s night-time hot spots.   

“We will also be using the buses to visit schools and colleges as part of our work in helping to educate young people about keeping safe when they go out, particularly at night. It’s not just about how to stay safe but also how to behave, to call out their mates if their behaviour is inappropriate. In a nutshell, how to not come to harm and how not to cause harm. 

“The more the safety buses are seen out and about, the more people will learn about how they can benefit from them. They act as an engagement point for officers and public as well as provide a welcoming safe space when people are feeling vulnerable.”