A series of mystery shopper visits carried out across pubs, bars and clubs in Cleveland to test staff’s knowledge of the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme have had a promising result.
Volunteers covertly attended premises across the area’s four boroughs and asked for ‘Angela’, to make sure that if a vulnerable person approached a member of staff, the appropriate safeguarding measures were carried out.
What is Ask for Angela?
‘Ask for Angela’ has been operating in areas nationwide since 2016. It was named in memory of Angela Phillips, a woman who was tragically abused and killed by her husband in 2012.
The safety phrase alerts bar, security or floor staff when a person feels they’re in a dangerous situation.
Anyone who feels unsafe whilst on a night out in pubs, clubs, and other night-time venues can discreetly get help by asking venue staff for ‘Angela’.
Cleveland’s Unit for the Reduction of Violence (CURV) has previously funded Ask for Angela campaigns and training for NTE stakeholders, alongside additional funding for street volunteer groups, anti-spiking resources and drink testing strips.
Further funding was provided by CURV to carry out the mystery shopper testing to evaluate the take up and effectiveness of the scheme.
Results of mystery shopper
Out of the 28 venues visited across Cleveland, 21 passed the required standards. Those that didn’t offer sufficient support during the visit were provided with feedback and advice on things they could improve.
Venues in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough scored 80% or above, while premises in Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland scored 62.5% and above:
| Borough | Number of venues visited | Number demonstrating a good knowledge of AfA | Success rate |
| Hartlepool | 5 | 4 | 80% |
| Stockton | 8 | 5 | 62.5% |
| Middlesbrough | 8 | 7 | 87.5% |
| Redcar & Cleveland | 7 | 5 | 66.6% |
| Total | 28 | 21 | 75% |
Idols bar in Hartlepool was one of the locations where staff showed a good knowledge of the Ask for Angela scheme.
Owner John Gate said: “It’s great that we have been recognised as a safe venue. Customer safety is always a top priority at Idols and the Ask for Angela scheme is an excellent way to promote this.
“I would encourage all venues to get behind the scheme as you never know when your help might be needed to support a vulnerable person.”
Despite its success in Cleveland, a recent BBC investigation report found that 13 of 25 venues visited elsewhere in the country failed to respond correctly to the Angela request.
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey said: “Ask for Angela is an important part of CURV’s efforts in ensuing our night-time economy is a welcoming and safe space for all.
“It’s great to see high numbers of success rates in Cleveland but I would be keen to see more licensed premises take up the ‘Ask for Angela’ initiative.
“We want to make sure the scheme is being run effectively at as many locations as possible and to make sure people can have confidence in it. I am pleased to see results are heading in the right direction in Cleveland.”
Councillor Karen Oliver, a Hartlepool Borough Council representative on the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, said: “As an authority, we are committed to ensuring that a night out in Hartlepool is a safe and enjoyable experience for all and initiatives such as Ask for Angela are a key part of this.
“I’m proud of how well Hartlepool performed in the mystery shopper test. It’s a testament to the brilliant collaboration between Hartlepool Borough Council staff, hospitality venues and other partners.
“We’re now looking to embed this initiative into our Licensing policy framework as good practice, offering support and encouragement to pubs and clubs across the town to help keep people safe on a night out.”