A PIONEERING initiative designed to help prevent and reduce sexual violence and vulnerability is being rolled out across North Yorkshire.

The Ask for Angela scheme was introduced in Lincolnshire in 2016 and is aimed at helping people who are on a date or who have met someone at a licensed venue and feel unsafe.

The person who feels unsafe can ask a member of the bar staff for ‘Angela’ and they would understand the situation help the vulnerable person leave discreetly.

This can be done by the staff member calling for a taxi or friend or family member to pick them up, or helping them to leave the bar without the person who has made them feel unsafe being aware.

The scheme is to be introduced across North Yorkshire over the next few weeks, with the assistance of Pubwatch and the eight licensing authorities across the county.

T/Detective Superintendent Allan Harder, head of safeguarding at North Yorkshire Police, said: “Ask for Angela is a really important initiative to ensure that support is provided to anyone who finds themselves feeling uneasy in certain situations.

“Dating has changed as a result of the wide use of dating sites and social media apps, so it is crucial that anyone who feels intimidated or unsafe because of the actions of the person they are with, can access help quickly and discreetly.

“Often, people on dates in pubs or other licensed premises are meeting people for the very first time face to face, and this can leave people feeling very vulnerable, or worse, at threat from harm.

“I encourage anyone who intends to meet someone for the first time to meet in busy, crowded places, tell a friend or family member where you are going and do not disclose too much personal information with anyone which could threaten your safety – such as your home address.

“If you do find yourself in a situation where you feel unsafe then speak to a member of staff at the venue and ask for Angela at your earliest opportunity.”

The idea for Ask for Angela originally came from Lincolnshire County Council.

The initiative won global recognition after a poster advertising the scheme in a Lincolnshire pub toilet was shared on social media - with even Hollywood star Ashton Kutcher giving the idea a thumbs-up.

Police remind people that if an offence has taken place, report it to them on 101 and always dial 999 if there is immediate danger.