Our Safer City – an initiative of the City of London Crime Prevention Association – is building on nearly three years of practical action and progress across the City of London to prevent violence against women and girls and domestic abuse.
In partnership with the City of London Corporation, City of London Police, the City’s Business Improvement Districts, Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) and a wide range of other organisations, it supports initiatives including taxi marshalling, Safe Havens, Ask for Angela and awareness-raising training and events.
A busy summer of activity has included a communications campaign during the FIFA World Cup with messages on:
- Challenging harmful behaviour and supporting bystander intervention
- Getting home safely and looking after your belongings
- Knowing where to get help, for example with Ask for Angela and Safe Havens
- Support and advice are available for both perpetrators and victim/survivors of domestic abuse
The campaign was delivered with the City of London Corporation and City of London Police across social media and using the City of London’s distinctive bollards to share important messages.
Supporting data
As well as our communications campaign, our partners at the Oxford Partnership provided intelligence and analysis reports for each England match day. These examined footfall, venue occupancy, dwell time, movement patterns and activity across the City of London’s hospitality and evening economy. Sharing these insights with partners strengthened the wider intelligence picture, bringing a better understanding of patterns of activity and identify potential risks, and informed how resources and prevention activity were deployed across the City.
Expanding Safe Havens
Safe Havens remain a central part of Our Safer City’s work. They provide a network of trained and supportive premises where someone can seek help, reassurance or assistance when they feel vulnerable.
There are currently 60 Safe Havens in the City of London. With around 60 additional premises being supported to join the scheme, the number is anticipated to double to approximately 120 during the next quarter.
A successful fundraising evening
The CSSC Fundraising Dinner held in August at 1 Lombard Street supported Our Safer City, as well as the City of London Police Charity for Children.
The evening brought together colleagues and partners from across the safety, security and financial sectors. It included a charity auction and raffle, raising vital funds. The City of London Police Cadets (pictured below) provided top-quality assistance during the raffle.
Priorities for autumn
The months ahead will bring a further programme of activity, with particular focus on coercive control, bystander intervention, acceptable behaviour and domestic abuse awareness:
- Training and events to highlight the UN 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November to 10 December) including an in-person awareness-raising event.
- A Christmas safety campaign with a new set of bollard covers carrying public safety messages.
- Coordinated social media campaigns
Continuing the partnership
Our Safer City has achieved significant progress because organisations are working together. Businesses, public services, police, charities, Business Improvement Districts, training providers and community partners all have an important role to play.
The progress made so far is encouraging – but there is more to do.
Join us today
Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/our-safer-city
Sign up for our newsletter: https://oursafercity.org.uk/contact-us/
Sign up to be a Safe Haven: https://oursafercity.org.uk/our-initiatives/safe-havens/
Request a call or visit about becoming a Safe Haven – email graham@oursafercity.org.uk
