The Sandwell Safe Spaces scheme has officially launched in Wednesbury town centre and Great Bridge in Tipton.
This initiative, which has already been running in West Bromwich town centre and Bearwood in Smethwick, provides a safe indoor location for people who may feel vulnerable, distressed or worried while out and about in high streets and town centres.
Safe Spaces are buildings such as shops, libraries and other organisations where you can go if you feel unsafe outside. There, you can call and wait for a family member or friend to collect you or for the police to arrive.
The new Safe Spaces scheme in Wednesbury town centre was launched at Morrisons in November, while Asda hosted the launch in Great Bridge, Tipton in December.
Chris Skerrett, Morrisons Wednesbury Store Manager, said: “We have joined this scheme because we believe in doing the right thing for our community. We’re providing a safe space for the community should they need it. Working closely with local partners has been important to us, we want people to feel safe and supported in the area.”
Daniel Broomfield, Food Hall Trading Manager at Asda Great Bridge, said: “The Safe Spaces scheme is an important initiative that no doubt will play a key part in making our local community feel safer when out and about. We are pleased to be supporting this great scheme and welcome anyone who feels vulnerable or unsafe to come into our store.”
Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community, said: “I would like to welcome businesses and organisations in Wednesbury and Great Bridge who are new to the Safe Spaces scheme. I would also like to thank all those businesses and organisations already involved in our schemes in West Bromwich and Bearwood.
“Feeling safe when you are out and about is absolutely vital, particularly for the most vulnerable in society. I hope this scheme helps to encourage more people onto our high streets and town centres in the knowledge that, in the unlikely event that something were to happen, there are places to go and people there to help.”
Find out where Safe Spaces are throughout Sandwell