Walsall Police introduce youth Safe Spaces scheme with council

Dear Resident,

Walsall Police would like to let you know about a new local Safe Spaces scheme which targets young and vulnerable people in the borough.

We are kindly asking residents of Walsall to share this information with your children, pupils and other young people who might benefit from these venues.

The scheme hopes to expand into more venues in the next phase, including large organisations such as restaurants and supermarkets. This will mean more venues with more varied opening times, to be easily accessed by young people at their time of need. 

If you think your venue could become a registered Safe Space venue - Email the council at -  youthofferparticipation@walsall.gov.uk 

Read the full story below

A new Safe Spaces scheme has been introduced in Walsall, targeting young and vulnerable people.

With 14 registered venues dotted across the region, the aim is to make young people feel and be safer in Walsall.  

The Safe Spaces scheme is designed for young people, by young people. It answers calls from young residents who asked for more venues where they can feel safe, meet new people and get help when they feel vulnerable.  

Staff in each registered venue have been given specialist training to allow them to help young people accessing their services.  

West Midlands Police Cadets, Olivia and Laksh, visited a registered venue with cadet leader Tom, to explore the facilities and hear about the scheme.  

“I think the Safe Spaces initiative is a great idea for young people like me,” Police Cadet Olivia said. 

“These spaces are not just for anyone feeling unsafe, but for anyone who needs a bit of help. That can be as simple as a charging your phone, contacting parents, planning your journey home, or finding an adult to talk to who is trained to help.” 

Walsall Police and the council work hard to build relationships with the borough’s communities to break down barriers by listen to their concerns and learning from people's experiences – that includes young people.  

As well as offering the Cadet scheme, Walsall Police attend youth advisory panels, visit schools and host drop-in sessions at youth centres such as Our Place. 

Sergeant Alex Backrath,  said: “Walsall Police is committed to making sure everyone feels safe in the borough, and these designated safe spaces will serve as a sanctuary for young people whenever they need it. 

“We can already see what a positive impact the safe spaces are having by looking at Our Place youth hub. It’s helping us to get young people off the street and reducing antisocial behaviour as a result.”  

Walsall’s Safe Space launch builds on existing partnerships between West Midlands Police and other local authorities across the region, where safe place schemes already exist. 

Every venue will display the Walsall Safe Space sticker in their window to ensure they are highly visible. You can find your closest safe space on the Walsall Council website where there is a list of addresses and visual map showing their location.  

It hopes to expand into more venues in the next phase of development, including large organisations such as restaurants and supermarkets in the borough. 

Want to become a registered Safe Space venue? Contact youthofferparticipation@walsall.gov.uk