WalkSafe…Leeds City Council reinforces focus on public safety with new WalkSafe app partnership

Posted by: freyakeith - Posted on:

Leeds City Council (Safer  Leeds) has enhanced its commitment to the ‘Be Safe and Feel Safe’ agenda for people when out and about in the city by joining forces with the WalkSafe Leeds personal safety app. It is free to download via https://qrco.de/be9KlK, offering a range of features to help people plan a safer journey. 

The partnership between the Council and WalkSafe was officially launched on Friday night at the O2 Academy, where Councillor Coupar, Emma Kay (WalkSafe), Tom Turner (GM at O2 Academy) and Nik Peasgood (CEO of Leeds Women’s Aid), and was followed by a high impact #StrutWithConfidence public procession through the city centre and down Greek Street by Leeds City College Urban Dance Crew to the sound of brass band music.

The WalkSafe Leeds app includes the following features:

  • WalkSafe – Type in your destination and share your route with selected friends. Includes an estimated time of arrival so your family and friends know when you should arrive. 
  • HomeSafe – Share your route and estimated time of arrival with friends and loved ones. This  feature will automatically alert your loved ones if you fail to arrive at your destination on time. 
  • Friends – Add trusted friends to the app so you can easily let your friends know where you are at what time.
  • SOS – hold down the SOS button to alert your friends immediately that you are in danger.
  • Reporting – Issues or concerns can be raised and reported anonymously using reporting tools

The app also includes information on local support and help available if needed, such as the locations of ‘Ask for Angela’ venues in Leeds, of which there are now more than 600 across the city. At these venues, anyone can say the code word ‘Angela’ to staff to signal they feel uncomfortable or are in a difficult situation and would like assistance. All those venues who are compliant, will be featured on the app (pop up)…also promoting their business and support to the safety of their customers.

The app also helps people locate the city centre ‘Street Marshals’ who provide a highly-visible additional presence during the night, to keep the streets safe and help people get home; and the Women’s Night Safe Space which operates on Friday and Saturday nights between 10pm and 3am outside the Corn Exchange – a non-judgemental safe bus for women and girls to come to, or be referred to if they feel concerned, unsafe, unwell or vulnerable. Fully trained staff are on-hand for support and advice as well as offering water, refreshments and warm drinks, with mobile phone charging facilities also available. 

The WalkSafe app, tailored to Leeds city safety features, is FREE 4 PEOPLE and available to anyone, residents, workers or visitors, (24/07).  Over the coming months other new safety features will be developed and add.