Sponsored Editorial

Maidstone has a thriving, vibrant night-time economy, but it’s important that residents and visitors feel safe whilst enjoying all the town has to offer. This is where the Safer Maidstone Partnership comes in.

The strategic crime and disorder reduction partnership – led by the Maidstone Borough Council Community Protection Team, Kent Police, One Maidstone Ambassadors, Maidstone Street Pastors and Urban Blue Bus – is on a mission to create a safe environment for the borough by reducing crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.

With a commitment to delivering the Maidstone Community Safety Partnership Plan, over the past year, the Safer Maidstone Partnership has undertaken a variety of initiatives – specifically to address concerns about the safety of women and girls and tackle anti-social behaviour in the town.

All of this hard work appears to be paying off as in the last 12 months, the team have seen a 28% reduction in anti-social behaviour, an 8% decrease in violence against women and girls (VAWG), and a 17% reduction in night-time economy crimes.

Examples of projects centred around protecting women and girls include youth workers who engage with young men and challenge their behaviour; improved CCTV coverage in the town; improvements to the existing radio system for the CCTV control room; and equipment and training for volunteers who work in the night-time economy.

On top of this, the Safer Maidstone Partnership has introduced Walk and Talk events, increased foot patrols, bystander training and improved safety in night-time economy venues.

Licenced premises are supported in a number of ways, including with the Ask Angela campaign, a national safety initiative that encourages people who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened to discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’.

This code phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of the team will then look to support and assist them.

Working closely with Maidstone venues, the Safer Maidstone Partnership has given away free hair scrunchies which double up as anti-spike drink covers, as well as personal alarms to women and girls in the town centre.

Other initiatives include specific training for youth workers and sports coaches to challenge inappropriate behaviour towards women and girls.

The partnership has also introduced a training package to empower members of the public to act when needed; a voluntary initiative; the Best Bar None accreditation for licensed premises to provide a safe venue; multi-agency events to engage with women and girls; and trauma-informed practice training for practitioners.

To learn more about the Safer Maidstone Partnership, visit the Maidstone Borough Council website.