Crime prevention partners approve funding boost for new mobile ‘safe space’ service in Darlington

A new mobile ‘safe space’ for those who feel vulnerable or unwell on a night out in Darlington has received a funding boost worth more than £33k.

As part of a united effort to prevent serious violence, Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen and members of the County Durham and Darlington Serious Violence Prevention Partnership approved a grant worth £33,390 to the Street Friends project to support its running costs.

Street Friends have replaced The Number Forty safety hub in Darlington Town Centre, which previously operated with a team of trained volunteers, police and paramedics to support vulnerable people on Friday and Saturday evenings between 9pm and 2am and increase feelings of safety, particularly among women and girls.

During its operation, The Number Forty supported hundreds of visitors to the night-time economy while reducing costs significantly in ambulance and emergency services personnel attendance.

Building on The Number Forty’s achievements, Street Friends are operating as a mobile ambulance unit supplied by Salus Medical from the end of April when The Number Forty’s current lease ended.

The mobile unit is operating with two trained paramedic staff and will park and patrol Darlington’s night-time economy, offering medical services to anyone needing help while also supporting emergency services staff and security staff from licensed premises.  

The facility, which will maintain a highly visible presence within the night-time economy, will be supported by two volunteers who will undergo training to conduct visible foot patrols in Darlington Town Centre with the aim of signposting those who need it to support.

The PCC has prioritised tackling serious violence in her Police, Crime and Justice Plan, vowing to review and support night-time hub safety provision, deliver on her statutory duty to prevent serious violence and tackle the causes and impact of serious violence and to improve feelings of safety in relation to alcohol-related violence, particularly for women.  

Tackling serious violence was the public’s second highest priority in the Commissioner’s most recent consultation and this funding complements the investment she has made in the nighttime economy such as additional CCTV, appropriate training for bar and door staff and a help point.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “Serious violence accounts for 13% of all crime within the force area, with most offences concentrated within the night-time economy in our urban centres.  

“There was a clear need to continue the vital support and assistance provided by The Number Forty which did a fantastic job over the last five years, helping hundreds of people to stay safe. As partners, we are confident Street Friends will widen the scope of our night-time safety resources even further, providing on-the-street support, reducing vulnerability and helping to reassure and intervene when necessary to ensure Darlington Town Centre remains a safe and welcoming place for all.

“Importantly, the new format will be more cost-effective to run, ensuring maximum value for the public purse and will increase engagement with visitors as well creating more opportunity to prevent risk and harm earlier – all of which are critical to helping people stay safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime.

“As I’ve said before, just knowing this service exists will provide reassurance to local people, especially women and girls and increase their enjoyment of the town.”

The Serious Violence Prevention Partnership was created to oversee the implementation of the Government’s Serious Violence Duty in January 2023 and requires organisations to work together to reduce and prevent serious violence in their local areas.  

Members have since developed and published the Serious Violence Response Strategy 2024 setting out how partners will work together in the future to better protect young people from being drawn into serious violence.

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