Fourteen new Safe Havens have opened their doors in Harrow, offering support to women who feel scared, harassed, or threatened.
The Safe Havens are part of a new initiative to provide vulnerable individuals with a safe, confidential place to seek help.
These locations, including fire stations, libraries, and local cafés, are staffed by trained individuals ready to assist anyone feeling unsafe. The Safe Haven scheme has been launched by the London Borough of Harrow in partnership with the Safer Business Network, primarily aimed at women and girls, though open to anyone in need.
Cllr Pritesh Patel, Portfolio Holder for Cleaner Streets & Public Safety, commented: “No one should feel vulnerable or unsafe on our streets. That’s why we are committed to protecting women and girls. We want people to not only be safe but feel safe in Harrow.
“The launch of our Safe Havens initiative is one of many ways we are supporting those who may be facing harassment or in need of help. I’d like to thank those taking part in the scheme and opening their doors to those who will need support.
“We will continue to put our residents first and listen to their concerns. I encourage everyone to fill in our Safer Spaces Survey so we can take the necessary actions to protect our residents.”
In a first for London, both Stanmore Fire Station and Harrow Fire Station have joined the scheme.
Simon Horn, Borough Commander for Harrow, said: “Harrow Borough London Fire Brigade is proud to support the Safe Haven initiative. Working in partnership with this scheme enables us to contribute to the safety of our community, particularly women and girls, who have been identified as needing this support.”
The scheme has been introduced following responses from the Council’s Safer Spaces Survey, where residents provided feedback on safety concerns. The Safe Havens offer individuals a temporary refuge until they feel ready to continue on their way, with staff on hand to provide assistance, whether it’s offering water, Wi-Fi, or contacting family or emergency services.
Each Safe Haven is marked with a sticker on its window, making it easy to identify. The full list of Safe Haven locations is available on the Council’s Safe Havens webpage.
Businesses interested in participating in the Safe Haven scheme can express their interest on the survey page.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
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