The Met has decided not to make ‘Ask For Angela’ training mandatory in pubs and clubs

“Ask For Angela” – a safety scheme designed to help vulnerable people escape public harassment and violence – won’t be made compulsory in pubs, clubs and restaurants, Metro has revealed.

According to the organisers, if you find yourself in an unsafe situation while at a selected venue (such as a Tinder date gone wrong), all you need to do is go up to a member of staff and ask for “Angela.” You’ll then be helped into a safe space until you have someone to take you home, or the situation has been handled another way.

The Met-fronted campaign was introduced in 2016 as a way to combat VAWG (violence against women and girls) within the nightlife industry. It was founded by Lincolnshire County Council in association with a local rape crisis charity, before being picked up nationwide.

Photo via Met Police

A number of investigations have been conducted into the legitimacy of “Ask For Angela,” – although it’s become increasingly clear that most nightlife workers have no idea about the scheme despite it being advertised in their own venues.

Metro, along with several womens’ rights campaigners, have fought for “Ask For Angela” training to be made mandatory. Multiple managers of pubs and clubs have confessed to taking part in the scheme without actually knowing how to deliver.

Another Met training programme designed to help those most vulnerable – WAVE (Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement) – isn’t widely enforced either.

During a press conference held by organisers of “Ask For Angela” in collaboration with OrderPay, Ian Graham, chief licensing officer at the Met, stated he didn’t think the training scheme will “ever become mandatory.”

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Featured image via West Midlands Police before edits.