Former ambulance used in Wakefield city centre night safety scheme
Wakefield Council has launched the so-called Safe Point during the Christmas party season to support people on Friday and Saturday nights.
A converted ambulance is to be used to provide a safe space for vulnerable people in Wakefield city centre at weekends.
Wakefield Council has launched the so-called Safe Point during the Christmas party season to support people on Friday and Saturday nights.
The local authority said the vehicle would provide a “non-judgemental place to get support”, as well as offering people somewhere to charge a phone, get water and access medical equipment.
The mobile unit will be staffed by an emergency medical technician and a safety officer, offering welfare support and first aid.
Daniel Wilton, the council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “We want everyone to enjoy their night out safely but understand sometimes people do need some extra help and support.
“The new Safe Point will provide residents with a range of help. Whether they need to call a taxi, charge a phone or have a quiet place to sit and drink water.
“It also means we can have a co-ordinated response between the police, ambulance service, council, night marshals, street angels and venues.
“The service will be a first port of call for welfare and medical issues, reducing the burden on emergency services while improving safety in the night-time economy.”
Coun Wilton said the vehicle could also be used to provide extra support at other events across the district.
Safe Point will initially be located on Westgate Fridays, Saturdays and Bank Holidays from 10:30pm to 5:30am.
A council statement added: “Individuals who are intoxicated, unwell, separated from friends or otherwise vulnerable will have a safe and non-judgemental place to go, preventing escalation of risk or harm.
“Having somewhere for people to go as a first port of call reduces unnecessary call outs for ambulances, saving the NHS time and money.”
Chief Inspector Emma Hooks, West Yorkshire Police’s partnerships and neighbourhoods lead for Wakefield district, said: “The Safe Point is a welcome addition to the centre of Wakefield and will provide support to people who are out in the city centre’s night-time economy.
“It will be staffed by appropriately trained people and provide those who feel vulnerable, or those who just need a bit of support, with a safe place to go that’s away from the public eye.”
The launch of the scheme follows the former Safe Space initiative which ran from 2021 to 2024 and helped 566 people in Wakefield and Pontefract.