Middlesbrough Council is working with local pubs to expand the Ask for Angela safety scheme in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, as of February 21, 2026. This initiative allows anyone who feels unsafe or uncomfortable while out at night to discreetly ask staff for help by using a specific codeword. By asking for “Angela” at the bar, customers can signal that they need assistance without alerting other people in the venue.
Staff at participating pubs and bars are trained to respond immediately to these requests by helping the person leave safely or calling a taxi for them. This rollout aims to ensure that everyone enjoying the town’s nightlife has a confidential way to get support if a date is going wrong or a situation feels dangerous. The move follows successful tests in May 2025 where local bars achieved a pass rate of 80 per cent or higher during checks by secret shoppers.
Middlesbrough is one of 67 local authorities across the country moving toward making this safety program a mandatory requirement for any business applying for a new licence to sell alcohol. The expansion is being supported and funded by Cleveland’s Unit for the Reduction of Violence. Matt Storey, the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner, has led the efforts to provide training for security and bar staff to ensure they can help customers effectively.
Local business owners, such as John Gate who runs the bar Idols, have welcomed the scheme as a way to prioritise customer safety. The council licensing committee is now overseeing the expansion to make the safety protocol a standard feature in bars across the community. This work aims to close the gap in staff awareness and make evenings out in the town safer for all residents.
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