High test success rate for ‘Ask for Angela’ in Wakefield
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
People visiting bars, clubs and restaurants on a night out in Wakefield can be reassured that help is at hand if they feel unsafe.
Fifty premises in the district have recently been tested by West Yorkshire Police and Wakefield Council for how effectively they respond to ‘Ask for Angela’ requests. With more than eight out of ten passing the test.
“We want people to enjoy going out in Wakefield, feel safe and know that help is readily available if something doesn’t feel right.
“We’re pleased with the outcomes of our ‘Ask for Angela’ tests. But we won’t be complacent. We’ll continue working with businesses to help them provide prompt and sensitive support to anyone who needs it.”
Cllr Daniel Wilton
Cabinet Member for Communities and Chair of the Community Safety Partnership
‘Ask for Angela’ is a national safety scheme which enables people who feel threatened or vulnerable to approach staff in venues and ask for help. Staff are trained to help customers out of uncomfortable situations quickly and discreetly.
Venues in the district were tested over four days, all Fridays and Saturdays, in November, December and January, including during the busy Christmas period.
The undercover operation in Wakefield included someone from a same sex couple seeking assistance - the first time this scenario has been tested in West Yorkshire. The team were pleased to see that no noticeable difference was seen in the level of service provided.
Following the first day of the operation, the overall pass rate across the district was consistently above 90%.
In all of the venues, the tester received assistance from staff. The difference between a pass, a pass with improvement, and a fail, depended on the way that the individual was treated and how diligently and respectfully staff dealt with the issue.
Wakefield Council and West Yorkshire Police continue to provide training, guidance and support to those businesses identified as requiring improvement. Helping them offer a better response in future.
Sergeant Adrian Simpson, who led the operation on behalf of West Yorkshire Police, said: “This type of test operation is important in order to assure the public as to the effectiveness of the Ask for Angela initiative, so that if it is genuinely needed then it can be relied upon with confidence.
“The overall outcome of this Policing operation in partnership with Wakefield Council was positive, in that a high standard of safeguarding interventions were offered by the majority of premises to individuals who 'Asked for Angela'.
“West Yorkshire Police will continue to work with licenced premises throughout the district to maintain this level of support for vulnerability when it presents itself.”
Find out more about Ask for Angela at https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/askforangela