Minister for Police Troy Grant and Minister for Racing Paul Toole announced the partnership between the NSW Police, Australian Hotels Association, City of Sydney Council and the City Central Liquor Accord. Under the program, when a patron ‘Asks for Angela’ at a participating venue it sends a discreet message to staff to offer help or contact authorities.
Mr Grant said the NSW Government was pleased hotels, bars and clubs in Australia’s largest city were getting on board to help improve the safety of their patrons. “Given the increasing popularity of online dating apps, many people are meeting for dates at bars, clubs and pubs having never met, beyond the screens of their phone or computer,” Mr Grant said. “People should not feel intimidated when they’re socialising. They are out to enjoy themselves, not feel threatened, and this initiative supports their safety. Staff can then intervene by calling police, organising safe transport home or referring the patron to support services.” Mr Toole said ‘Ask for Angela’ was a simple concept that had quickly spread around the world since it originated in the UK in 2016.
“This is a really effective initiative which is already operating successfully in Wagga Wagga, Albury, Orange and most recently Byron Bay,” Mr Toole said. “’Ask for Angela’ aims to help people who find themselves in an awkward or uncomfortable situation where they feel intimidated or struggle to end a date. “It is a great example of the valuable work liquor accords are doing in targeting alcohol related violence and anti-social behaviour.” Liquor accords play a key role in the NSW Government’s approach to liquor regulation, representing a collaboration between licensed venues, NSW Police, Liquor & Gaming NSW and local communities.