The city has been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag accreditation for its evening and night-time economy for another year.
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, and businesses are able to use the logo to encourage visitors to the city.
Plymouth was assessed on the many elements to make it a safe city to visit and to live, such as the emergency help points, the safe bus, the continued work and focus on VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) and the night bus that ran last year.
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.
A large number of organisations work together to make Plymouth a welcoming and successful destination including the Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, pubs, restaurants, sports and entertainment venues, retail and transport operators, dedicated street pastors and taxi marshals.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Libraries, Cemeteries and Crematoria, said: “We are delighted that the city has been awarded the Purple Flag accreditation for another year, and to be recognised for all of the initiatives that we have in the city is amazing news.
“We have worked collaboratively across the city with different organisations to help keep Plymouth safe at night, and I am so pleased for our city.”
Councillor Zoe Reilly, VAWG Champion added: “I know that people and organisations in the city have worked really hard to keep Plymouth safe as much as they can, and continuing the important work surrounding VAWG.
“I am so proud of the city being awarded the accreditation again and as VAWG Champion, this is something that I am extremely passionate about.”
Cat MacDonald, Chair of Plymouth Best Bar None scheme, said: “I am delighted that we have been awarded the Purple Flag accreditation for another year, and that all of the hard work and dedication that it takes to make our bars, pubs and clubs in Plymouth safer places to socialise, has been recognised.”
Sergeant Dave Moore from Devon and Cornwall Police Alcohol Licensing Department, added: “The support from all of the partners involved in working together has been critical in Plymouth successfully retaining the Purple Flag accreditation.
“We have worked and will continue working hard on the multiple campaigns that we run to make the night time economy safe in the region and in Plymouth, such as the anti-spiking campaigns and Ask for Angela, which we encourage people to engage with and report and flag concerns when they have them to our trained night time staff.”