'Women thank us for keeping them safe'

While many people spend their Friday and Saturday nights enjoying nightlife in towns and cities, one group is on the streets for a different reason - to protect women.

Two years ago, a series of sexual assaults were reported in Stroud, Gloucestershire, sparking fear and concern.

The incidents prompted local woman Chrissie Lowery to launch Night Angels.

The 54-year-old business owner is familiar with violence against women and girls, having previously worked as a clinical specialist nurse and being a survivor herself.

Her daughter also recounted a "really scary" experience of being followed through the town.

Following the Stroud attacks, Gloucestershire Police admitted that it needed to do more to protect women and girls and began by organising a public meeting in August 2022 to discuss the "number of awful of frightening rapes, sexual assaults and inappropriate behaviours" recorded over the previous months.

It was attended by more than 200 people - about 90% of them women.

Shortly after the meeting, Ms Lowery created the Safe Space scheme, which enables women and girls to take refuge and seek help - whether it's a phone call to the police, a lift home, or a cup of tea.

Shops, businesses and pubs around Stroud supported the the idea, and began displaying Safe Space stickers in their windows to show people in need where they could find refuge.

The scheme's website also displays a map, directing users to their nearest space.

Since its establishment, about 700 safe spaces - including trains and buses - have been created across Stroud and Gloucester.

"It's a really community-based service. It's a collaboration and it is being really well received," Ms Lowery said.

She said she hopes to keep growing the scheme, with Swindon in Wiltshire the next target.

Since December 2023, Ms Lowery has spent her Friday and Saturday nights with her fellow Night Angles, patrolling the streets in groups of six in their pink high-vis vests and matching hats.

Ms Lowery said: “I thought I could do it - it’s something I wanted to do, and it was on my agenda.

"Five days later, we had a group of women out patrolling the town and I was one of them."

All the Night Angels are DBS checked and trained in first aid, CPR, defibrillators, de-escalation, negotiation, domestic violence, safeguarding and mental health.

The group is supported by Gloucestershire Police and the local council.

The Angels are equipped with backpacks containing things like first aid kits, water, lollipops and blankets. They also offer emotional and psychological support and lifts home when needed.

"We go out and find people who need us and some will approach us - we’re very pink and easily identifiable," Ms Lowery said.

"We've taken some people home because they're concussed, we've taken people to hospital and we've taken people to mental health establishments.

"No two nights are the same."

In total, there are about 80 Angels, divided into one team in Stroud and two in Gloucester. So far, the group says, they have helped in 165 different incidents.

The Angels are based in Bright House in King's Walk Shopping Centre, Gloucester, which also doubles up as a Safe Space.

“Stroud women are actually saying to us ‘we’re so happy that you’re out keeping us safe, we feel like we can go out, we felt vulnerable here because of everything that’s gone on’, so that’s really good," Ms Lowery said.

Although other safety schemes such as Ask for Angela exist, Ms Lowery said the accessibility of the Night Angels sets them apart.

"We’ve had people report to us that they’ve asked for Angela and been told that 'she doesn’t work here'.

"There can be a high turnover [of staff] in hospitality and you have to train every individual.

"There aren’t people like us out on the streets for women," she added.

Ms Lowery hopes the scheme can grow and spread nationwide, but is relying on more women joining the team.

Over the last two years, Ms Lowery has been recognised for her work.

In 2022, she was invited to Downing Street as a community champion.

Last year, she attended Parliament for International Women's Day.

“It makes you feel proud and like you’re actually doing something right," she said.

"I don’t really think about it too much though - I’m more focused on trying to get what I’m doing to where I want it to be.

"I want to have a refuge one day," she added.

Ms Lowery said there is "absolutely not" enough being done to protect women and girls from violence, abuse and harassment.

“There’s just not enough services.

"A lot of attitudes have to change, education has got to change and it goes right back for years, but I think some people are changing.

"People are calling it out more now, and I think social media really helps."

She encouraged any women or girls who are struggling to "reach out".

“Go get some help. Tell a friend, talk about it and get out if you can."

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