The Safe Space for anyone who feels vulnerable or in danger on a night out in Southend has returned to the city centre.
Safe Space Team on Patrol
The mobile unit is staffed by up to eight police officers, with regular assistance from street pastors, drug and alcohol support workers, and Southend-on-Sea City Council’s community safety officers.
It operates from 8pm to 5.30am every Friday and Saturday night, and on nights where significant numbers of visitors are anticipated. It starts the evening adjacent to HSBC and the Odeon cinema before moving to Warrior Square towards midnight. Funding secured by the council from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and the Safer Streets initiative will see Safe Space run through to August 2025.
Drink-Safety Initiative Launched
Free drink-check wristbands have also been launched in Southend in a joint initiative between police and the council, believed to be a national first. Confirmed incidents of drink spiking are extremely rare, but it is hoped the wristbands, which will be available alongside bottle toppers and drink covers, will add an additional layer of reassurance.
The wristbands can test up to two drinks and a QR code will take people through to more information about what to do and who to contact if they believe their drink has been tampered with. The Safe Space runs alongside existing Southend Community Policing Team (CPT) night-time economy operations, including having officers in plain clothes who are trained to spot signs of predatory behaviour.
Southend Crime Rates Drop
Crime is down by 6.9% in Southend in the 12 months to the end of October 2024, with 1,309 fewer crimes reported. Incidents of anti-social behaviour have fallen by 68% in five years.
The city is covered by four hotspot policing zones, two anti-social behaviour patrolling areas, and a Public Space Protection Order covering the High Street. It also has a purple flag for its night-time economy.
Inspector Highlights Night-Out Safety
Inspector Jane Childs of Southend CPT said:
“Southend is a safe place for a night out but if anyone needs assistance or spots someone acting suspiciously, my team will be there to help. Anyone out in the city will see officers on patrol and the Safe Space gives everyone somewhere to go if they become separated from their group or feel uncomfortable. We’ve also increased the time it operates for to make sure nobody vulnerable gets left behind.
“The new drink-check wristbands are another tool we have to help people stay safe and feel safe while they’re enjoying themselves, but I’d encourage everyone coming to the city to stick with their friends and have a plan about how they’re going to get home.”