Southern Vectis is working with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Street Pastors to create a late night Safe Space at Newport Bus Station. The pilot, which will see pastors and police officers in the Southern Vectis travel shop on certain Friday and Saturday evenings, is designed to bolster the confidence of those travelling around the town between 21:00 and 01:15. Southern Vectis general manager Richard Tyldsley said:
“We work hard to ensure our passengers feel safe and secure, no matter what time of the day or night they travel with us. “This new pilot takes this a step further and follows consultation with both the police and Street Pastors. It provides people who are out-and-about in Newport town centre late at night – not just those travelling with Southern Vectis – with a Safe Space where they can seek assistance should they need it. “We’re pleased to be offering our travel shop as a base for this important local resource.”
PC Ben Grindrod, from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Violent Crime Task force, added:
“With warmer and lighter evenings in summer, more people will be enjoying venues around Newport. “Southern Vectis and the Street Pastors have worked incredibly hard to make Newport a safer place for the public, with their efforts leading to the creation of this Safe Space. “Everyone has the right to enjoy themselves safely and comfortably. Being on a night out and having a few drinks does not excuse criminal behaviour, and we will deal robustly with anyone whose behaviour falls below the standard we expect. “Officers will be conducting patrols in the evenings, and will be able assist with any concerns – or direct people to the Safe Space if needed. Ultimately this Safe Space is exactly what it says on the tin – a place of safety for anyone who feels vulnerable or unsafe on a night out. “Anyone who visits the Safe Space having been a victim of crime on a night out – for example, violence or sexual violence – can be assured they will be supported here. They will also be provided with information and referrals to other agencies that can offer longer term support if they need it. “We also encourage people to report crime or suspicious activity to Police. They can approach a police officer, or call police on 101. We ask that people always dial 999 in the event of an emergency or if a crime is happening now.”
Street Pastors is a group of volunteers from different churches across Newport, who go out into the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights to listen to, care, and help those in need, without discrimination. Suzanne McCaffery from Street Pastors, said:
“Isle of Wight Street Pastors are pleased to be working with Southern Vectis & Isle of Wight Constabulary in bringing a Safe Space to Newport bus station. This will provide a vital space for people to feel safe, get advice and support, and report anti-social behaviour or concerns.”
The pilot will be in operation at Southern Vectis travel shop between 21:00 and 01:15 on the following dates: Friday 16th August Saturday 24th August Friday 20th September Saturday 28th September
It’s sad that this facility is needed on the island but also ironic that it is in the only remaining town with a police station counter that is open.
We’ve got to many dangerous immigrants. It’s like down town baghdad out there
Not the brain dead Islanders who can’t be arsed to get a job at any age!!!and enjoy a Friday night bottle cider in Church Litten and being a pain in the arse to everybody in bus station using it!! You mean those wholesome individuals !.you really are a creton Jimmy and not only is your needle stick it’s gone rusty with any luck your tetanus isn’t up to date!we will all mourn you not!.
Please leave the children alone your old
We used to have police officers patrolling to keep people safe.
That was in the good old days.
The famous Bobby on the Beat
Great idea but what has it come to?
Didn’t we used to have something similar? A well lit, organised place, called something like, oh yes, a waiting room.
Just a safespace would have been nice
Great idea because every weirdo on the island seems to hang around Newport bus station on Friday and Saturday nights.
How do u know that ?
Err because I use the buses.
The worst one is some weirdo from Cowes called Trevor
I know this scumbag he a big bully
I have returned from newport on the 14 40 bus to bembtidge and have witnessed 4 drunk miles at the bus station its not just at night prople feel unsafe and intimidated these people need moving on old and young children should not have yo put up with this I was made to feel very uncomfortable and u safe in the middle of the day uou can imagine what it’s like st night
In fairness some people get scared just looking in the mirror.
It’ll probably cost 50p to get in too.