Sheffield pubs: Safe Square 'life-saver' for 500 stricken revellers closes after money runs out
A “life-saving” service for stricken revellers in Sheffield has closed after it ran out of funds.
Safe Square helped almost 500 people in distress or danger after it was launched in December. They include stabbing and bottling victims, lone women being followed, mental health emergencies and scores who simply needed downtime to sober up.
A nine-strong team was based in a tent in Barker’s Pool on Friday and Saturday nights until 4am.
They included two emergency ambulance crews, provided by private firm Mediqas, two IPM Group security staff and a project manager.
The service was praised for easing the burden on the police, NHS and bars and pubs - as well as from grateful victims and often, their parents and partners.
But funding from South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit has come to an end.
Project manager Kayleigh Waine, whose day job is at Katie O’Brien’s Irish bar, said Sheffield had lost a life-saving service.
She added: “We’ve seen nearly 500 people since December. It’s proven to be something people need and that makes the city safer. It’s sad it’s stopping.”
It had also helped Sheffield City Council achieve Purple Flag status for having a safe and clean night-time city centre, she added.
Dean Lorimer, director of operations at Mediqas Group, based in Bradford, said they were “flat out” on Saturday, October 5 helping 10 people including glassing and assault victims, drunks who couldn’t stand up, someone with chest pains and a 32-year-old woman found passed out behind a club.
The week before, Freshers’ Week, they had helped “a lot of new students” still in their teens.
They were also first on the scene at a stabbing outside Mr Wilson’s on West Street in March and another on Division Street, after which they took the victim to hospital. They also helped a bottling victim on Carver Street two weeks ago, he added.
Medics can also tend wounds and do stitches.
The team costs £1,466 per shift, but Dean believes it “saves money across the board.”
Grateful mum Nikki Johnson wrote: “Thank you so much for helping my daughter last night if it wasn't for you guys I dread to think what would have happened you’re a Godsend. Keep up the amazing work.”
Paige Gibson, of Firepit on West Street, said they had called Safe Square ‘multiple times’ in December and three people who had received first aid had been allowed home instead of ending up in hospital.
She added: “I have also directed a lot of young girls to Safe Square to charge their phones after losing their friends, something I wish was available when I was younger and something I'm very grateful my teenage sisters now have access to if they ever find themselves in a vulnerable position.”
David Poole, of Dempseys on Hereford Street, said Safe Square staff had looked after an 18-year-old man who was “worse for wear” and reunited him with his mum. They also helped a woman with a medical condition and got her safely home and “saved the NHS a fortune.”
Sgt Simon Pickering, of South Yorkshire Police Neighbourhood Team, said Safe Square was a brilliant concept which officers had benefited from.
He added: “I took a male to Safe Square who hit his head on the tram tracks. It would have been an ambulance call which would have resulted in A&E. The wait for an ambulance would have been long and officers would have had to wait with the male.
“Officers I have spoken to really rate the service for what it provides and believe it’s a good idea.”
The Violence Reduction Unit was funded as a pilot by the Home Office and is now part of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
An SYMCA spokesperson said they were working with Safe Square and partner organisations to find a “longer-term, sustainable way of delivering this service for Sheffield city centre.”
They added: “The Safe Square pilot scheme has provided important support to those in need in Sheffield city centre over the last six months.”
Coun Minesh Parekh, deputy chair of waste and street scene policy committee at Sheffield City Council, thanked Safe Square for providing a “fantastic service.”
He added: “The aim of the Sheffield Safe Square pilot scheme was initially to do something positive and practical to tackle the issue of violence against women and girls, and it has been a success.
“The scheme has provided a safe space for more than 400 people since it began and has allowed residents and visitors to Sheffield to enjoy themselves safely and support the city’s night-time economy.”
There were conversations about “working with partners to find a sustainable way of facilitating a permanent safe space,” he added.
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