Information from external agencies for those working in the evening and night-time economy.
Devon and Cornwall Police
Devon and Cornwall Police are running a project to make public spaces within the evening and night-time economy safer for women and girls. The project will target male perpetrators and deter crime. To help achieve this, reporting all suspicious behaviour is key.
They are requesting that those working in the evening and night-time economy are aware of the types of behaviour. Devon and Cornwall police would like you to report if you hear about it, see it or someone is telling you about it.
Could you please take action according to your management guidance, business/safeguarding policy and instructions - this might include dialling 999 and alerting police who may be on patrol nearby.
Once you have taken action, please also report it using the Community Partnership Intel form
- males loitering without reason and / or persistently returning to an area after being asked to leave
- males persistently making unwanted contact towards females
- males blocking females from leaving a space, venue, event, or area
- males making lewd comments or unwanted sexual advances towards females
- males trying to isolate females and / or taking them away by physically pulling or pushing
- following / stalking behaviour
- particular concerns over behaviour of employees in the night-time economy who may have gained employment to deliberately target females
- vehicles loitering without reasons or circulating the evening and night-time economy or main routes out
- instances on social media discussing or highlighting the above experiences which appear not to have been reported to police
Fill in the Community Partnership Intel form and make reports, with as much detail as possible including:
- times
- descriptions
- locations
- vehicle registration details
Let us know if there is any CCTV coverage.
You can also report the above behaviours anonymously through Crimestoppers. Phone 0800 555 111.
Encourage members of the public to use the StreetSafe app. This is a service for anyone to anonymously tell us about public places where they have felt unsafe, because of environmental issues, for example street lighting and abandoned buildings, or because of some behaviours, for example being followed or verbally abused.
StreetSafe is not for reporting crime or incidents.
The Devon and Cornwall Police website has more details.
Purple Flag award
Plymouth was officially awarded the Purple Flag on 26 June 2019.
What is Purple Flag?
The Purple Flag is similar to the Blue Flag for beaches, given to cities and towns that surpass the standards of excellence in managing its evening and night time economy. It helps raise the profile of Plymouth, and businesses are able to use the logo to encourage visitors to the city.
Areas awarded the purple flag are recognised as providing a vibrant and diverse mixture of entertainment and culture, whilst promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and residents.
Purple Flag accreditation is run by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) and is the benchmark for good nighttime destinations.
Who is involved with the Purple Flag?
The Purple Flag award was applied for by Safer Plymouth. Safer Plymouth is Plymouth’s community safety partnership which helps agencies to work together to improve the safety of our residents, whilst enjoying everything that Plymouth as to offer.
Businesses
The official purple flag logo can be used by businesses in publicity and websites to promote the scheme.
Contact Licensing for the brand guidelines and logo or If you want posters or window stickers. Email: [email protected]
Taxi Marshals
There are two taxi ranks in the city with taxi marshals
- Barbican – Basket Ope
- Raleigh Street Taxi Rank, Derry’s Cross
Plymouth’s licensed taxi drivers receive safeguarding training every 5 years – if you are worried about your or someone else’ safety when in Plymouth call 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Safe Bus
The safe bus is located outside the Theatre Royal, Derry’s cross, Plymouth on busy Saturday nights during the year. The bus serves as a hub for emergency services and other agencies offering support to people enjoying a night out.
Street Pastors
Plymouth has an active group of street pastors, who have been helping to keep the city’s nightlife safe since January 2008. They visit Mutley, North Hill, Greenbank, Union Street, the City Centre, The Barbican, Bretonside, Warner Village and Sutton Road every Saturday from 10pm until 4am on Sunday.
In an average year they issue:
- Over 750 pairs of flip flops
- Over 700 bottles of water
- 176 space blankets
- Over 6500 bottles and glasses removed from the street
More information can be found at the Street Pastors Website.
Find out what’s happening in the city, where to visit, and more at the Visit Plymouth Website.