Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council have officially activated nine “Halo Points” across the city centre. These high-visibility safe havens are designed to provide immediate assistance to anyone feeling vulnerable, particularly women and girls, as part of a wider effort to strengthen the local night-time economy.
The initiative, known as Operation Halo, introduces clearly identifiable, well-lit spaces in high-footfall areas. These points are specifically positioned to act as a deterrent to offenders while offering a discreet and rapid way for those in distress to access professional help.
Where to find Liverpool’s nine new Halo Points
The Halo Points are strategically located in two of the city’s busiest nightlife hubs: the Concert Square area and the Mathew Street area. Each point can be located precisely using the What3Words mapping system:
Concert Square Area
* Wood Street / Hanover Street: Sweat.Brings.Shells
* Slater Street / Wood Street: Inspector.Proud.Meant
* St. Peter’s Square: Forget.Friday.Storm
* Seel Street (near Alcatraz): Precautions.Actual.Spent
* Slater Street / Seel Street: Logic.Grass.Vivid
Mathew Street Area
* Mathew Street / Stanley Street: Flats.Hosts.Corn
* North John Street / Mathew Street: Stove.Spit.Oval
* Stanley Street / Dale Street: Glove.Vivid.Ranges
* Temple Court / Victoria Street: Comic.Solar.Fixed
How the safe spaces provide immediate emergency support
Every Halo Point is equipped with technology that connects users directly to emergency services. By pressing the call button, individuals are linked to 999 and the City Watch CCTV network. This allows for immediate visual reassurance and rapid intervention by police officers or trained VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) champions.
These VAWG champions are already embedded within various licensed venues across the city. They undergo specific training to recognise signs of vulnerability, challenge harmful behaviours, and respond to incidents such as spiking. The Halo Points extend this network of protection from inside the venues out onto the streets, ensuring there is no gap in support for people moving between locations.
The technology and training behind Operation Halo
The development of these safety hubs followed a detailed Strategic Threat Risk Assessment conducted in 2023. The data confirmed that offences related to VAWG are most likely to occur in busy nightlife zones and areas with high pedestrian traffic. Operation Halo addresses these risks through a joined-up approach involving the police, the local authority, and the private security teams of licensed premises.
Funding for the project was secured via the Hyper-Local Policing Fund, awarded by the Home Office. This financial support allowed the Highways team at Liverpool City Council to install the physical infrastructure, ensuring the points are accessible and impossible to miss during the hours of darkness.
A collaborative approach to night-time economy safety
Constable Frank Stevens of Merseyside Police, who proposed the original concept, noted that the points are designed to build a stronger culture of safety. The initiative relies on the partnership between the police and the council to ensure that help is always within reach for those who feel at risk.
Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell stated that everyone deserves to feel safe when enjoying the city’s nightlife. She highlighted that by combining physical safe spaces with trained personnel and extensive CCTV coverage, the city is strengthening its ability to prevent and deter harmful behaviour.
Liverpool currently holds Purple Flag status, an international accreditation that recognises cities with a safe and vibrant night-time economy. The introduction of Halo Points is intended to maintain this standard, providing a practical safety net for residents and visitors alike. If you feel unsafe or see someone in distress, these points offer a direct line to help that is monitored 24 hours a day.
Source: Liverpool City Council
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