Wakefield is the safest city in West Yorkshire and the Council and Wakefield BID has partnered with WalkSafe to offer even more reassurance for people visiting the city centre.
Whether you live in Wakefield, work here or are just visiting, download the free personal safety app to help give you further peace of mind when shopping, meeting with friends, commuting or going on a night out.
The app is available to use anywhere in the country but from Friday 7 June, local support services will be shown on the Safety Map up to 4km from Wakefield city centre. It may be that you need a place to wait for a friend or just somewhere to charge your phone.
The app has been brought to the district in partnership by Wakefield Council, Wakefield BID and the Safer Together Partnership Wakefield and District. It is already available to use in Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees.
Cllr Maureen Cummings_1Cllr Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Poverty and Health, said: “The Walk Safe app is a brilliant concept.
“Even though Wakefield is the safest city in West Yorkshire, the app offers lot of different features and information to give people that extra reassurance when enjoying everything Wakefield has to offer. This is a great way to help people have the best possible experience in our city centre.”
Emma Kay, WalkSafe App Founder, said: “We are thrilled to be launching in partnership with Wakefield Council on the WalkSafe+ app. We know 63% of women prefer to visit pubs, bars and restaurants that have safety initiatives in place. Our national safety map allows users to see exactly where these venues are and plan safer experiences out. We’re delighted to be making the world a safer place together with Wakefield Council.”
Thomas Wales, CEO Wakefield BID, said: “Ensuring a safer Wakefield directly boosts our local economy by attracting more visitors to our local businesses, supporting a vibrant commercial environment. This not only increases customer foot traffic and revenue but also makes Wakefield an attractive destination for new investments and developments, ultimately leading to sustained economic growth for our entire community.”
The app has safety features including:
WalkSafe – giving you the ability to share your destination, route and estimated arrival time with trusted friends.
HomeSafe – alerts your trusted friends if you fail to arrive at your destination on time.
Safety Map – helps you find safe spaces and support. In Wakefield this will include trained venues that take part in Ask for Angela, Licensing SAVI, Safe Spaces and Safe Zones.
SOS – hold down the SOS button to alert your trusted friends immediately that you are in danger.
Reporting – issues or concerns can be raised and reported anonymously.
The project has been part funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
For more information about local support services, please visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/WalksafeWakefield
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Journalists who require further information should contact:
Wakefield Council Communications team
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.wakefield.gov.uk
Notes to Editors
When compared to April 2023, anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crime (offences where the offender derives material gain from the crime e.g., shoplifting, burglary, theft, and robbery) has reduced by 30%, and a 49% reduction on the previous month.
Detection rates (the number of offences recorded as detected in a given year as a proportion of the total number of crimes recorded in the same period for all of Wakefield Central Neighbourhood Policing Team) is 20%, this is 13% higher than the national average.
