Newquay is set to become the first place in the UK to offer a ‘whole town’ approach to providing Safe Spaces.
The new initiative is being launched in April by Newquay Business Improvement District (BID), with support from local Cornish charity, CLEAR, Newquay Town Council, local businesses, the Town Mayor and Devon and Cornwall Police. It will offer a place of safety to anyone feeling vulnerable or at immediate risk within the town.
BID manager, Mark Warren, said: “We feel that the town is fast becoming a welcoming and safe space, as we already have a whole town approach system with communications between CCTV and businesses.
“Here we are further supporting this with new initiatives like this one providing that additional layer of safety within the community and we’re proud to be leading the way to the UK’s first Safe Space Town supported by local businesses, organisations and Devon and Cornwall police. We predict the scheme to be welcomed across the town by members of the public, locals and visitors alike.”
Newquay has significantly reduced crime rates over recent years and recognises that this is a further proactive step to prioritising personal safety 24/7, with particular focus on the nighttime economy as well as providing safe spaces throughout the daytime.
In support of Newquay businesses accessing training and support to implement Safe Spaces within their organisations, funding has been provided by Devon & Cornwall Police and the Boardmasters Foundation.
Andrew Topham, CEO and founder of Boardmasters Festival, said: “We’re delighted that through the Boardmasters Foundation we’re able to support the Newquay Safe Spaces initiative, extending the ground-breaking safety work we do on site into town.
“We’ve always been proud to call Newquay our home, even more so now through this new, collaborative project, which is driven by a shared dedication to the town’s community and its visitors. We look forward to seeing the scheme roll out in the coming months, as well as during Boardmasters Festival, and it’s an honour to be able to contribute as Newquay becomes the UK’s first Safe Space town.”
Training for Newquay businesses and organisations has begun with new dates released for March 2024. To register your interest, for information and book onto training please contact: rachel.jones@clearsupport.net
