Content Warning: The article discusses women’s safety.

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has issued a reminder that those in need of help on nights out in Birmingham are able to go to one of two ‘Safe Spaces’ in the city centre to access support. The Safe Space at the Arcadian was the first and has been in place since 2019. The Broad Street site has been open since just before Christmas of 2021.

Simon Foster, The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said: ‘It’s vital people know about the Safe Spaces that are available to them on a night out in Birmingham.’ In Birmingham City Centre, violence that results in injury typically jumps by around 15% in the summer month of July as more people are out because of good weather.

The Arcadian site provides access to a team from St John’s Ambulance and on Broad Street medical care is provided by Immediate Care Medical. Medical and practical support is provided, such as helping people get home. This year, hundreds of vulnerable people have been helped between the hours of 10pm and 5am on Fridays and Saturdays when the spaces are open.

In addition to funding provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner and West Midlands Violence Reduction Unit, these Safe Spaces have been provided with £65,000 by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning group (CCG). This has the aim of supporting people in need and relieving pressure on local A&E departments.

The West Midlands Victims’ Commissioner, Nicky Brennan, focused on how the Safe Spaces could be of use to women who have become separated from their friends and feel vulnerable whilst on a night out. She said: ‘It’s vital women know there are places to go that will keep them safe on a night out and offer practical support and guidance. The last thing we want is women feeling that they are unsafe and that they have nowhere to turn for help.’

‘Our Safe Spaces reduce vulnerability and keep people out of harm’s way.’

Redbrick spoke to Reclaim Campus UOB, and they said: ‘For us as a committee, who are relatively clued up on women’s safety initiatives in Birmingham, hardly any of us had heard of this scheme in the city centre. This is definitely something that needs advertising more, and as a committee we’re going to look into this.’

‘Particularly with freshers week approaching, it’s even more important to make sure students who are less familiar with the city centre know these spaces are in place.’

‘In regards to the lack of availability during the week, this is definitely something that could be addressed. We think a more targeted approach to specific clients nights on certain days could be useful, placing additional female officers, or specially trained officers near certain clubs; when there’s a regular student club. It’s also important to point out that some of the most popular student nights out for UoB students takes place at the Guild, and as a committee we are constantly trying to push for making this a safer and a more inclusive space. This includes our involvement in the Welfare Rooms at club nights, which have proved extremely beneficial for students.’

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