‘Ask For Angela’ is a scheme launched in 2016 that aims to support people who are feeling uncomfortable in social situations.
It does this by training hospitality workers so that they know how to help and support a vulnerable individual.
If customers need help, they ask staff for “Angela”, which indicated they need assistance.
But a BBC News investigation has found that staff at 13 of 25 venues in the capital did not know the advised protocol when the Angela code word is used.
The Met Police’s Chief Licensing Officer Ian Graham told City News:
“The Met remains completely committed to tackling violence and protecting people from predators and we would urge all of London’s night-time businesses to sign up to this scheme.
“No one should have to put up with unwanted attention or sexual or violent behaviour and we encourage anyone on a night out that feels threatened or unsafe to Ask For Angela”.
Guy Lynn, the BBC investigations reporter behind the report, believes that the responsibility for implementing this scheme lies with the pubs and bars:
“It’s your responsibility that if you advertise to your customers that you’re running this scheme, then you have got to do the scheme”.
Mr Lynn also highlighted that for many women safety groups in the capital, it appears to them that “pubs are taking credit for doing something about women safety, and then not actually doing it in practice”.
Many charities in London have reflected this negative sentiment, including Rape Crisis South London:
“We understand through our work that there is a lack of emphasis for effectively safeguarding women and girls… We are not surprised to this disappointing figure [referring to the BBC investigation]”.
‘Ask for Angela’ is not just restricted to women, with all genders encouraged to use the code word when experiencing uncomfortable social situations.
The initiative has been used outside of England too, with Toronto, Canada implementing the scheme too.
City News contacted three of the chains involved in the report, Simmonds, Wetherspoons and Greene King, for comment.
Greene King said in a statement:
“Many of our teams have been able to support people because of Ask for Angela and acted on their concerns.
“Our pub managers receive training about this important scheme and we are reviewing how this training is delivered to our team members”.
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HeadlineMet Police encourage people to ‘Ask for Angela’, despite recent criticism
Short HeadlineLondon’s Police service supports 'Ask for Angela' scheme
StandfirstA BBC investigation has found that staff at 13 of 25 venues in the capital did not know the advised protocol when the Angela code word is used
‘Ask For Angela’ is a scheme launched in 2016 that aims to support people who are feeling uncomfortable in social situations.
It does this by training hospitality workers so that they know how to help and support a vulnerable individual.
If customers need help, they ask staff for “Angela”, which indicated they need assistance.
But a BBC News investigation has found that staff at 13 of 25 venues in the capital did not know the advised protocol when the Angela code word is used.
The Met Police’s Chief Licensing Officer Ian Graham told City News:
“The Met remains completely committed to tackling violence and protecting people from predators and we would urge all of London’s night-time businesses to sign up to this scheme.
“No one should have to put up with unwanted attention or sexual or violent behaviour and we encourage anyone on a night out that feels threatened or unsafe to Ask For Angela”.
Guy Lynn, the BBC investigations reporter behind the report, believes that the responsibility for implementing this scheme lies with the pubs and bars:
“It’s your responsibility that if you advertise to your customers that you’re running this scheme, then you have got to do the scheme”.
Mr Lynn also highlighted that for many women safety groups in the capital, it appears to them that “pubs are taking credit for doing something about women safety, and then not actually doing it in practice”.
Many charities in London have reflected this negative sentiment, including Rape Crisis South London:
“We understand through our work that there is a lack of emphasis for effectively safeguarding women and girls… We are not surprised to this disappointing figure [referring to the BBC investigation]”.
‘Ask for Angela’ is not just restricted to women, with all genders encouraged to use the code word when experiencing uncomfortable social situations.
The initiative has been used outside of England too, with Toronto, Canada implementing the scheme too.
City News contacted three of the chains involved in the report, Simmonds, Wetherspoons and Greene King, for comment.
Greene King said in a statement:
“Many of our teams have been able to support people because of Ask for Angela and acted on their concerns.
“Our pub managers receive training about this important scheme and we are reviewing how this training is delivered to our team members”.
