‘Ask for Angela’ campaign to be rolled out in Clare
Hospitality providers in County Clare including bar, restaurant, café and hotel owners are being invited to help make Clare a safer destination to socialise by committing to the ‘Ask For Angela’ code-word campaign.
The Clare Joint Policing Committee (JPC), comprising Clare County Council, An Garda Síochána, Elected Members and community representatives, have teamed up with the Clare Branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) to back the countrywide rollout of the campaign which encourages people who find themselves in an uncomfortable situation whilst socialising to ‘Ask for Angela’ at the bar or service counter.
The phrase alerts staff that something is amiss and they can proceed to safely diffuse the situation.
Councillor Mary Howard, Chair of Clare JPC, said that the scheme was
“First piloted by Lincolnshire County Council in 2016 and in Waterford earlier this year, this campaign has proven to be an effective method of encouraging people who feel unsafe or vulnerable in hotels, pubs, clubs or restaurants, but feel they aren’t able to openly seek support, to ask a staff member for assistance. ”
Clare JPC member and Chief Supt for the Clare Garda Division, John Kerin commented, “An Garda Síochána “in some cases, people may feel at risk and isolated or afraid to seek help. Ask for Angela gives patrons at participating venues a simple way to seek assistance if they feel at all at risk.”
Darragh McAllister, Chairman of Clare VFI, said participating businesses and venues display signage in discreet locations to indicate they are taking part in the programme.