Merton Council is proud to be working with Merton Police to be the first London borough to roll out the Ask for Angela scheme in its pubs and bars to encourage men and women who may not feel safe to get help.  

The Ask for Angela campaign was started by Lincolnshire County Council in September 2016 and has since attracted worldwide support.

Posters are discreetly displayed in pubs and bars to let people know they can ask for help at the bar by ‘asking for Angela’. The key words will alert staff the person needs help and they will take action.

Merton’s lead councillor on domestic violence issues, Councillor Katy Neep said: “Merton is one of London’s safest boroughs, and ensuring that people feel safe and supported in Merton is top of our agenda. Being the first London borough to roll out Ask for Angela demonstrates our commitment to this. I hope that any individual who feels a situation is not quite right will be able to ask for help and get the support they need using this innovative campaign.”

The council, the police and local charities are currently working together on the 16 Days of Activism against Violence and Abuse campaign, which features a packed programme of information days, theatre, stalls and social media.

The campaign, which began on 25 November and runs until 10 December, aims to raise awareness of violence including domestic violence and abuse, child sexual exploitation, hate crime, female genital mutilation and forced marriage, stalking and harassment and encourage victims to get help. Find out more here.

Notes to editors:

Ask for Angela is part of the UK Says No More campaign, run by the charity Hestia. Merton Council was one of the first London boroughs to pledge its support to the national UK Says No More campaign which aims to end domestic violence and sexual assault and promote local help available. For more information, visit www.merton.gov.uk/domesticviolence.