The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner is reminding people who find themselves in danger or in need of support on a night out in Birmingham that there are now two ‘safe spaces’ for them to use in the city centre.
The sites at the Arcadian and on Broad Street are used by hundreds of people every year who have had too much to drink, feel unwell or need some practical help to get home.
A team from St John’s Ambulance are available at the Arcadian and Immediate Care Medical on Broad Street. They provide medical and practical help for revellers who might run into difficulty whilst visiting bars and clubs. So far, they have already helped hundreds of vulnerable people throughout the year between the hours of 10pm and 5am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Violence that causes injury in Birmingham City Centre usually jumps by around 15% in the warmer month of July as more people head out in the good weather.
Many who receive treatment or support might have drunk too much alcohol, taken drugs or simply become unwell whilst visiting bars in the area and need a taxi to take them home.
NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group has provided £65000 of funding to run the safe spaces until April 2023, with the aim of supporting people at a time of need, as well as reducing the pressure on local A&E departments. This, in addition to contributions from the Police and Crime Commissioner and West Midlands Violence Reduction Unit.
There has been a Safe Space at the city’s Arcadian since 2019 after initially being funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner, whilst the Broad Street site opened just before Christmas last year.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, said: “It’s vital people know about the Safe Spaces that are available to them on a night out in Birmingham.
“We all know that it’s easy to run into trouble on a night out and I want people to be aware that help is at hand so we can reduce the number of people who needlessly become victims of crime.
“I’d urge anyone who feels they might need support to head to the Safe Space in the Arcadian and on Broad Street where they will be looked after.”
A spokesperson for NHS Birmingham and Solihull CCG said, “We hope that by funding this service we will help to keep local people safe, as well as protecting our busy emergency departments for life-threatening emergencies only.”
The West Midlands Victims’ Commissioner, Nicky Brennan, is also more than aware of the importance of the Safe Spaces to women who might get separated from their friends and feel vulnerable whilst out enjoying themselves, “It’s vital women know there are places to go that will keep them safe on a night out and offer practical support and guidance.
“The last thing we want is women feeling that they are unsafe and that they have nowhere to turn for help.”
“Our Safe Spaces reduce vulnerability and keep people out of harm’s way.”
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