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On-street parking wardens join “Ask for Angela” scheme
15/12/2022
Anyone who feels unsafe, vulnerable, or threatened can discreetly seek help by asking for Angela
Anyone who feels unsafe or at risk whilst in Banbury can now get help from the on-street parking wardens that operate in the town. Oxfordshire’s parking civil enforcement officers are the first in the country to participate in the “Ask for Angela” campaign, which helps vulnerable members of the public in dangerous or uncomfortable situations.
The parking wardens work for Oxfordshire County Council’s contractor Conduent Transportation. They are currently being trained on the scheme.
The “Ask for Angela” campaign started in 2016 and is used by bars and other venues in the hospitality industry to protect people from sexual or violent assault. Anyone who feels unsafe, vulnerable, or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching staff and asking for Angela. A trained person will then look to support them by reuniting them with a friend, arranging a taxi, or calling security or the police.
Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “This is an incredibly worthwhile initiative, and we are delighted to be trialling it first in Oxfordshire. Conduent and their officers are pioneering a new approach which we hope will make our streets safer for everyone.”
Jade Neville, Head of User Experience – UK Parking, at Conduent Transportation, said: “Conduent is proud to be the first on-street parking provider in the country to join the Ask for Angela campaign and make its contribution to improving safety on the county’s streets.”
Through the training, Conduent’s parking officers have been given an awareness of vulnerability and their responsibilities towards the public during their shifts. The aim is for officers to be an additional point of contact for those who feel unsafe, as Ask for Angela is taken into the wider environment.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam