Propel Legal Briefing - Safety first and slogans second by Michelle Hazlewood

First appearing for Propel Hospitality in their Legal Briefing on 15th January 2025

Efforts to protect vulnerable people have come a long way in the hospitality sector, but I must admit that sometimes it feels as though we are too focused on catchy campaigns without considering the bigger picture. Initiatives like “Ask for Angela” have raised awareness, but true protection requires more than just slogans – it demands proper training, joined-up thinking and the resources to support it. I believe it is time to move beyond surface-level fixes and create lasting change, ensuring that vulnerability is met with real action and meaningful support.

The “Ask for Angela” initiative was launched several years ago following the tragic murder of Angela Compton by her husband. From this devastating event came a powerful idea: a discreet way for vulnerable individuals to seek help without putting themselves at greater risk. Although the concept originally responded to domestic abuse, the hospitality industry embraced it with empathy and enthusiasm.

The initiative, as we know it today, involves a secret code where the public can discreetly ask bar staff for help by “asking for Angela”. This simple phrase signals staff to assist, whether by providing a safe space, arranging a taxi or involving authorities if necessary. The scheme was designed to protect people from potential harm without escalating the situation. Since 2016, pubs and clubs across the UK have adopted the scheme, offering a quiet but effective lifeline to those in need.

This is why it was so disappointing to see the BBC’s recent critical reporting on its implementation in some areas. From my experience working with licensed premises, I know of numerous instances where staff have intervened and genuinely made a difference, even potentially saving lives in some cases.

When I think back 25 years to my early days in the hospitality industry, there was little awareness or discussion about guest safety. Issues like spiking, the risks faced by the LGBTQ+ community or child sexual exploitation were rarely acknowledged and often considered taboo. Although the landscape has improved significantly, there is still much work to be done to ensure effective protection for everyone.

Over the Christmas period, I noticed a wave of posters and campaigns aimed at raising awareness about safety and vulnerability. These included initiatives like “Ask for Angela”, “Ask for Clive”, the Women’s Night-Time Charter, billboards about spiking, locally produced leaflets, Safer Sounds, Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training, and even a poster from the Mothers’ Union addressing domestic abuse. While all of these efforts are commendable and well-intentioned, awareness alone is not enough.

If we step back and look at what connects these campaigns, the common thread is vulnerability. With proper training and a clear understanding of this concept, we could create a more comprehensive approach that moves beyond individual slogans or reactive measures. Instead of focusing on one specific issue or responding only to high-profile events like the tragic death of Sarah Everard, who was kidnapped from the streets by a serving Met Police officer, I believe we need to address vulnerability as a whole rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.

I recently saw this disconnect first hand while reviewing voluntary conditions for a venue following a violent incident. Despite the incident having no connection to abuse and occurring in an area with a history of child sexual exploitation, the police insisted on adding an “Ask for Angela” condition. When I suggested a broader focus on vulnerability, they dismissed the idea entirely. I was somewhat baffled by the decision. If the public, journalists, and enforcement agencies are calling for proactive engagement on issues of vulnerability, the question remains: where is the support and resources to back it up?

At John Gaunt and Partners, we provide guidance, information and training to clients on these matters, but as a fee-based service, this raises a broader concern. If society is serious about tackling these issues, shouldn’t the state step in to provide accessible, comprehensive support?

Take “Ask for Angela” as an example. Most advice on implementing it highlights the need for staff training, often referencing WAVE training as a critical resource. WAVE training was specifically developed to equip those working in licensed premises with the awareness and skills needed to recognise and respond to vulnerability.

The WAVE programme focuses on increasing knowledge, building confidence and promoting practical interventions. It is grounded in five key principles: preventing and reducing violent crime in the licensed sector, addressing sexual offences, minimising preventable injuries linked to alcohol and drugs, curbing criminal activity and anti-social behaviour in licensed premises, and fostering partnerships with communities and stakeholders.

Such initiatives are invaluable, but their effectiveness depends on widespread access, proper funding and prioritisation at a national level. Without this, the responsibility remains unevenly distributed – across venues and even regions.

It would be more effective to focus our time and energy on identifying what vulnerability truly means and providing the necessary training on how to address it. The WAVE training curriculum outlines a valuable set of considerations to help achieve this. These include:

• Defining vulnerability
• Understanding what makes someone vulnerable
• Identifying vulnerability in various contexts
• Providing appropriate interventions
• Reporting and recording incidents effectively
• Raising awareness of spiking

By concentrating on these key areas, we can equip those in the licensed sector with the tools they need to respond effectively and consistently.

When I searched online for readily accessible, free training resources for hospitality teams, I found very little that provided concrete, step-by-step guidance. Many of the main websites mention the need for training but fail to offer comprehensive training materials or clear instructions. The best free resource I found is the “Ask for Angela” vulnerability training. There is a helpful free resource available on their site for more specific training: the “Ask for Angela” team training workbook, which provides some useful information. These resources are wonderful to have to hand, but I can’t help thinking we should have more which are readily available.

An important aspect of training that needs further consideration is the reporting of situations where someone seeks help. Should it be the responsibility of the individual to follow up with the police, or should there be a nationwide mechanism for recording these events? Having such a system in place could provide critical tracking data on known predators or help identify patterns of behaviour. Too often, when tragic events are later examined, we find that there were missed opportunities – signs that, in isolation, may have seemed insignificant, but when considered together, reveal a troubling pattern.

With the issue of vulnerability in public spaces back in the spotlight, this is the perfect time to bring together various well-intentioned initiatives aimed at protecting people. The recent scrutiny over high-profile cases, such as grooming gang scandals, highlights the critical need for proper reporting systems. When vulnerable individuals – whether victims of exploitation, abuse, harassment or any other form of harm – come forward, it’s essential that there is a secure and consistent mechanism for logging reports and tracking incidents.

This is where the call for a comprehensive national framework becomes even more important. Just as Martyn’s Law has emphasised the need for robust safety frameworks to protect public venues from terrorist attacks, we need a similar focus on ensuring that vulnerable individuals are protected in all situations. Martyn’s Law has already made progress in parliament, and by the end of 2025, I would love to see a national framework that addresses vulnerability in its broadest sense – covering everything from child sexual exploitation to immediate threats in public spaces. This framework should include clear, accessible systems for reporting incidents (including those that take place in hospitality venues), ensuring that victims are supported, and perpetrators are held accountable.

Michelle Hazlewood is a partner and specialist licensing solicitor at John Gaunt & Partners