A NEW scheme which aims to help vulnerable people feel safe while out and about is being launched in Worcester tomorrow (Thursday, February 26).

The Safe Place initiative will provide a range of “temporary safe havens” such as supermarkets or cafes where people can go for help if they are being bullied, abused or harassed while out alone.

Deputy Mayor of Worcester Councillor Roger Knight will launch the scheme at The Guildhall in High Street alongside members of the Worcestershire north and south community safety partnerships.

The scheme is particularly aimed at the elderly and people with a disability, illness of learning difficulty, and in Worcester Co-operative stores have already signed up to the scheme.

Jude Langton, community safety manager at Worcester City Council, said: “The Safe Place initiative is great for people who find themselves in need of help whilst out in Worcester.

“Thanks to police and crime commissioner funding, we are now able to expand the scheme across Worcestershire.

“This is great as each scheme will be run on exactly the same lines, helping more people to feel safe whichever town they choose to visit in the county.”

It is hoped that more retailers will sign up to the scheme, which enables them to display the national Safe Place logo, and provide staff that can help or assist anyone in trouble.

Safe Place cards can also be carried by individuals, with useful contact details for family members or carers, which can be presented to staff inside a Safe Place.

Safe Places in Worcestershire has been set up by Worcester City Council’s community safety team, North Worcestershire community safety partnership, West Mercia Police and Our Way Self Advocacy.

The first scheme launched in Kidderminster last month and will be rolled out to Redditch, Malvern, Bromsgrove and Droitwich later in the year.