App launched to help keep night-time revellers safe
The mobile phone app Your Night is being launched in Newcastle to provide a one-stop shop for everything people need to stay safe on a night out.
Although primarily providing information about the citys clubs and pubs, hotels, taxi firms and other location details, it also gives emergency contact numbers and details of help centres to assist people who are lost or vulnerable in the city.
The app is being funded by the citys Street Pastors scheme and Northumbria police and crime commissioner (PCC) Vera Baird.
Newcastle Street Pastors coordinator Sam Douthwaite has been part of the project in Newcastle helping people who are lost or vulnerable.
We wanted to provide a one-stop shop with all the local information so people can call taxis, find hotels and seek help if they need it, he said.
Street Pastors have become an integral part of looking after the citys night-time crowds and through the PCCs Safe Haven project have received additional training to help people who become vulnerable.
Ms Baird has helped the Street Pastors promote the app locally and has also contributed to Street Pastor projects in North Tyneside and Sunderland, providing bikes and other much-needed funding.
The Street Pastors are volunteers from all walks of life who give up their time to look after vulnerable people in towns and cities, she said.
I was delighted to be able to help them promote this app I think its great that people can have a directory at their fingertips in case they need a location, telephone number or map. It all adds up to keeping revellers safe on a night out.
Chair of Safe Newcastle, Councillor Linda Hobson, said: I think this app is a great idea and it underlines the vital role that Street Pastors fulfil in many of our towns and cities keeping people safe at night.
The Your Night app is now available in 17 towns and cities nationwide.