Street marshals receive commendation after saving woman's life

Trained security staff who provide support on Leeds’s streets have received a special commendation for their work after saving a woman’s life earlier this year.

The street marshals are out in the city centre most Friday and Saturday nights offering support and assistance to anyone who needs it between 3pm and 3am.

During a shift in January they responded to a call about a woman in need, and as they approached her they discovered she was not in a good state of mind and at risk. The marshals quickly intervened with care and compassion and supported her until the police and ambulance arrived.

At a Night Safe Leeds partnership street briefing on Friday night (14 February), the street marshals received a commendation from the council for their outstanding contributions to public safety and for averting many potentially serious situations.

The street marshals are an integral part of Night Safe Leeds, an initiative bringing together all the on-street support available to people who live, work and visit the city centre, and raising awareness of how to stay safe.

As they patrol the streets in high vis orange jackets, the marshals provide reassurance to the public, look out for vulnerable people to offer help, and step in to diffuse situations before they escalate. 

They are operationally contactable via the Business Against Crime in Leeds (BACIL) radio system, which links into the Safer Leeds LeedsWatch CCTV control room, West Yorkshire Police, British Transport Police, Street Support, the Women’s Night Safe Space, Youth Services, Angels of Freedom and other organisations who are offering support on the streets.

Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said: “We launched the Night Safe Leeds initiative to spread the word on the measures you can take to keep yourself safe when you’re out and about in the city centre. Any form of anti-social behaviour and crime is unacceptable, and we want people to feel safe and be safe whatever time of day or night they are out in Leeds.

“This commendation is so well deserved by the street marshals, they are doing a vital job in supporting our residents and visitors. Nightlife is a big part of what makes Leeds the place that it is and if something doesn’t feel right, there is support around.”

Simon Hodgson, Leeds City Council’s head of community safety, said: “The street marshals are a truly valued part of Night Safe Leeds. They’ve really shown how important their work is, not only during this incident but also in diffusing situations so people get home safely. Positive feedback from the hospitality and retail sector also indicates their value in supporting people’s safety.”

The street marshals are employed by Controlled Space, a Yorkshire-based security service. They are fully SIA licensed and undertake rigorous training in de-escalation techniques, safeguarding, and vulnerability of people, including the safety of women and risks associated with drug and/or alcohol use.

To read more about the Night Safe Leeds support available, visit https://leeds.gov.uk/nightsafe.

ENDS

The street marshals are funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The service is being delivered by Leeds City Council and BACIL in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, who administer UKSPF funds locally.