Strengthening safety of women and girls ahead of International Women’s Day and Cheltenham Festival
Summary
In the lead up to Cheltenham Festival, the Youth Cafe is now available as a safeguarding measure for under 18s, and a recent Ask for Angela operation showed 100% compliance across Cheltenham venues.
Details
With increased footfall expected across the town, the council, Gloucestershire Constabulary and licensing partners will be proactively targeting unacceptable behaviour and those who perpetrate it. There will be enhanced engagement and enforcement activity across licensed premises, public spaces and transport hubs to ensure that anyone who intimidates, harasses, or commits offences is identified and dealt with robustly.
During this period, local officers will carry out compliance checks at bars, clubs and other licensed venues. This includes ensuring SIA-accredited door staff are in place, reviewing incident logs and CCTV provision, and taking action where venues fail to meet licence conditions.
Councillor Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “This year, the NCLB Youth Cafe initiative on Bennington Street in Cheltenham is bringing a fresh wave of positivity and excitement to our youth community during the Cheltenham Festival.
“While the event draws many visitors, it’s our mission to create a welcoming and safe environment for everyone, especially women and girls. As we’re actively working to promote respect and kindness throughout the town, we call upon everyone to look out for our young people and those who may be vulnerable and to call out those who perpetuate anti-social behaviour.
“We’re thrilled to see the cafe becoming a vibrant hub where young people can gather to have fun, receive support from trained professionals, and support each other. Similarly, we’ve seen a record 100% take up of Ask for Angela across our venues during a recent operation in Cheltenham. Our commitments to safety become more imperative every year.”
Inspector Steve Benbow from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We’re working alongside our partner agencies during the Cheltenham Festival to ensure that everyone has a safe but enjoyable time.
“In addition to resources working at and around the Racecourse, we will have an enhanced community policing presence across the town on every day of the event.