Night-time support service bus introduced to Southampton to help keep night-life safe
It will be used on high footfall nights to support people
A night-time support service bus will be helping keep people safe on high footfall weekends in Southampton as part of a new scheme.
The night-time support service has already been used to help students over the freshers weeks and will now be used on busier weekends to keep nightlife safe.
Onboard, the bus will host a team of volunteers, offering temporary refuge and support, as well as the ability for people to charge phones.
Francesca Prior, Service Manager for Strong Communities at Southampton City Council, said: "We came up with this concept that we could have this wellbeing bus or welfare bus that could be utilised not just by students, but predominantly for students in the city.
"When they're coming to a new city where they don't know their way around, they haven't got their friends around them because they're just making those new connections.
"It's a bit scary and it can be a bit overwhelming.
"So this concept of having this welfare bus that people could charge their phones if they died, or if it just became a bit too overwhelming, then they could just go with a safe place and just be looked after."
The bus will have a medic on higher footfall nights, as well as volunteers to help with welfare and wellbeing.
She added: "It's really important, isn't it?
"I think there can be so many situations that people find themselves in that actually they just need that quiet space where they know they're safe and they can just take a breath.
"But it's also important for people to know that there is a place that they can go to."
The project's being lead by Operation Defender, which is a multi-agency response to keep people safe as they enjoy the city's nightlife.
Members within that team include Southampton City Council, Hampshire Constabulary, the University of Southampton, Solent University, SCAS, Street Pastors, CityWatch, GO! Security and Synergy Security.
Councillor Josh Allen, Cabinet Member for Communities & Safer City at Southampton City Council, said: “I’m delighted that this new night-time service has been launched as we welcome new students to the city.
"I would like to thank all our partners for helping us to make this project a reality.
"As a council, we are committed to creating a city of opportunity for all, and our students are part of that.
"This new bus will provide people with a safe place while they’re out for the night.
"It will also reassure families that their sons and daughters can enjoy Southampton’s night life in safety.“