Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council have officially activated a network of nine ‘Halo Points’ across the city centre this week. These designated safe spaces, launched on Wednesday, 6 May, represent the latest phase of Operation Halo, a targeted initiative designed to combat Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and enhance public safety within the night-time economy.
Each Halo Point serves as a highly visible, well-lit sanctuary for anyone feeling vulnerable, distressed, or at risk. These stations are not merely landmarks; they are functional emergency hubs equipped with direct communication lines to emergency services via 999. Furthermore, every point is integrated into the City Watch CCTV network, allowing for immediate visual monitoring and rapid deployment of police officers or VAWG champions to the scene.
Emergency assistance and CCTV integration
The infrastructure behind these points prioritizes rapid intervention. When a person uses a Halo Point, they are instantly connected to help, providing a layer of reassurance for those navigating the city after dark. The visible presence of these stations also serves as a deterrent to potential offenders, signaling a high-surveillance environment where help is seconds away.
This rollout follows a detailed Strategic Threat Risk Assessment conducted in 2023. That data indicated that VAWG offences are most frequently recorded in high-footfall areas, town centres, and busy nightlife districts. By placing these points in the heart of Liverpool’s busiest streets, authorities aim to bridge the gap between feeling unsafe and receiving professional assistance.
Strategic locations across the city centre
The nine Halo Points are distributed across two primary zones: the Concert Square area and the Mathew Street district. To ensure residents and visitors can find them with precision, each location has been assigned a unique What3Words address.
| Location Area | Street Intersection | What3Words Address |
|---|---|---|
| Concert Square | Wood Street / Hanover Street | ///sweat.brings.shells |
| Concert Square | Slater Street / Wood Street | ///inspector.proud.meant |
| Concert Square | St. Peter’s Square | ///forget.friday.storm |
| Concert Square | Seel Street (near Alcatraz) | ///precautions.actual.spent |
| Concert Square | Slater Street / Seel Street | ///logic.grass.vivid |
| Mathew Street | Mathew Street / Stanley Street | ///flats.hosts.corn |
| Mathew Street | North John Street / Mathew Street | ///stove.spit.oval |
| Mathew Street | Stanley Street / Dale Street | ///glove.vivid.ranges |
| Mathew Street | Temple Court / Victoria Street | ///comic.solar.fixed |
Tackling violence against women and girls
Operation Halo is a multi-agency effort that extends beyond physical infrastructure. The initiative includes VAWG Champions—individuals embedded within licensed venues who are specifically trained to identify signs of vulnerability, challenge predatory behavior, and respond to incidents such as drink spiking.
Constable Frank Stevens of Merseyside Police, who proposed the concept, noted that the points are a significant step in building a stronger culture of safety. The partnership with Liverpool City Council’s Highways team was instrumental in ensuring these points were placed in accessible, high-visibility spots that do not obstruct the flow of the city’s busy pavements.
Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell emphasized that everyone deserves to enjoy the city’s nightlife without fear. The integration of Halo Points with existing CCTV and trained personnel creates a comprehensive safety net. This approach reinforces Liverpool’s status as a Purple Flag city, a recognition given to locations that provide a safe and diverse night-time environment.
Collaborative funding and the Hyper-Local Policing Fund
The development and installation of the Halo Points were made possible through the Hyper-Local Policing Fund. This funding was awarded by the Home Office and secured through the joint efforts of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Merseyside Police.
Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene, stated that while Liverpool is already recognized as one of the UK’s safest cities, the commitment to ending violence against women and girls remains a priority. The new points are intended to ensure that no matter what concerns a person may have while out, there is always a visible and accessible route to safety.
Source: Liverpool City Council
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