In response to the latest sexual assault and online harassment, which are concerning high amounts in London during New Year’s Eve, police from the Met is taking extraordinary measures: securing women at bars and clubs so they can celebrate without harassment.
With the rise of digital society and new stars for these incidents on social media, we are seeing more issues surrounding how women can safely be at these events. It is no surprise that politicians and social reformers have taken notice.
The police service is offering a safe place for women in London to celebrate the New Year in a sexual assault-free zone this coming new years eve. This is part of Mayor Sadiq Khan’s vision of keeping residents safe at home and during celebrations.
The author of this article discusses how centralized policing may disproportionally target women on New Year’s Eve and provides safe places where they can enjoy their parties near their homes.
One popular solution for celebrations is a parade.
The Haredi community has led the way in large crowds celebrating the New Year, with significant communal events taking place in areas such as Stamford Hill, Hackney, and Golder’s Green. Yet continuing anti-social behavior by some intimidating community members has led to police advice.
The event will offer visitors 24 safe pub options, alongside new car park facilities and a helicopter flyover at Midnight.
Police aim to stage an eye-catching evening that pulls together various events across London’s diverse communities in one concentrated place for people to enjoy themselves safely on New Year’s Eve night. They hope people will attend the possibilities for different reasons – cultural, community, or fun – and gather in one place. They also aim to avoid potential problems by stressing the importance of maintaining “high levels of personal responsibility” and displaying “responsibility for your safety.”
The events are being supported by a wide range of partners, including representatives from local councils and police forces across London, as well as voluntary organizations such as the London Taxi Drivers’ Association and the National Federation of Taxi Drivers.” The white paper talks about a four-year ‘transition plan’ designed to bring reforms such as insurance and licensing changes and more effective use of technology. The government hopes that by the end of 2020, “it will be illegal for private hire vehicles not displaying a Hackney Carriage badge” or with an unlicensed driver.
Police in London are assisting women looking for a safe and festive location to celebrate New Year’s, throwing a parade of cheeky posters around the capital all month as part of what is meant for them to show other women about feeling safe on every street. With some of the signs by artist Max Graf, the campaign’s message is “hope this helps you stay safe on NYE.” The campaign has been shared on social media, with many women feeling empowered and uplifted by them.
Posts like this one are placed in various locations across London on five different hoardings and social media. They show pictures of smiling women with the word “I am confident” and the hashtag “NewYearEveryone.”
In light of increasing safety concerns, many public spaces, such as bars, have asked their patrons not to come after 1 am. So why explore licensed areas or make some space together? This year we’ll see swarms upon swarms of women coming out happy after the stroke of Midnight. Midnight is a time for decision-making when we evaluate what’s most essential and make decisions about our futures. Women who come out after Midnight has taken this with them as an opportunity to be fearless and authentic to themselves.
On New Year’s Eve, many London women stay home for various reasons. However, this year, the Metropolitan Police partnered with clubgoers like the Ministry of Sound and Liberty Warehouse to create a safe location where women could be with their loved ones while celebrating.
To ensure safety, the organizers used safety spotters in the bar so that they would contact the police immediately if anything went wrong. Data showed a spike in anti-social behavior on high-risk nights after arrangements were made for events at other venues, including London’s Finsbury Park. As a result, security could control situations before they become dangerous.
To reduce crime during events, police in London offers women a space to celebrate New Year’s Eve. In recent years, the rape and assault rates have not been as much of a concern regarding barricading routes.
This army of volunteers will help provide safe passage by advising on temporary phasing in certain areas where fireworks are evident within a net 120-meter radius, which will be solved by applying wax rags followed by dispersing again before Midnight.
An alternative for criminal elements is like the ‘Buffalo Room,’ which all women are ushered into by officers, is bordered on two ends, and felons are politely asked not to pass through. Another area affected exists near Nelson’s Column and Parliament Square, where panic button-wielding Metropolitan Police have hired riot exciters from professional boxing company Reyaad Operational Security Limited. And this Sunday, there should also be an app for partygoers hit with chaos promoted via appropriate virtual reality (VR ) headsets.
In London, the Metropolitan Police’s Riot and Disorder Act 1976 authorizes a “body of up to 20 unarmed special constables” known as “special constables,” typically occupied with crowd control during emergencies or riots. What’s more? The police have also hired 30 members of CAW – the Chartered Association of Wholesale and Retail Liquor Dealers – to deal with unruly crowds in anticipation of a series of mass-market booze ban protests.
The police department in London offers women a safe place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. After the global celebrations, there are extra crowds of partygoers who may have consumed too much alcohol and smoked marijuana before leaving. The studies conducted have shown that people participating in public celebrations do not adhere to public transportation rules, putting themselves and the community at risk.
In response to the excess partygoers after New Year’s Eve and late-night revelry’s impact on safety and transport services, the London Metropolitan Police put on a new year-long celebratory public disorder by offering women safe places to celebrate New Year’s Eve at 966 hours.
This allows celebrations to be a manageable environment with precise line management from law enforcement and provides a private space for respectful enjoyment of the season without disrupting citizens or limiting mobility from law enforcement measures.
As part of these measures, they promote inclusivity services such as outreach assistance with female-targeted services and counseling. “This is an example of how a small gesture can have a big impact on an individual,” said Sanders. “It shows the value of reaching out and offering services to those who need it.” The organization also works with businesses in the community to support initiatives that create supportive spaces for employees with diverse gender identities and expressions.
They work with prominent employers like Ryerson University, the Toronto Transit Commission, and KPMG Business Solutions to create inclusive, safe, and diverse work environments. The LGBTQA+ Network is a grassroots collective of community members who identify as queer, trans*, two-spirited, non-binary, genderqueer, or otherwise not cisgender. They offer support to individuals through social events and activities in Toronto.
With the start of 2019, many people are turning their thoughts to great life plans, dreaming of continuing a New Year’s resolution. For some, hoping to make this year the best year yet is enough excuse for staying out late and indulging in food.
Although it might be tempting to get so involved in fun on New Year’s night, organizers want people across London to be aware that NYE celebrations could get overwhelming and risk causing problems for one another this evening.
The NYE festivities will continue tonight, so we urge foot patrols and those with designated roaming responsibilities to be alert to alcohol or drug-related issues.
Of the 18 people killed over the New Year’s weekend in London, 14 were women. This year, the Metropolitan Police Board has allowed a safe place dedicated to celebrating New Year’s Eve with those victims of gender-based violence. This initiative will support any woman during this time of the year.
The Metropolitan Police Board guarantees free transportation from hostels and shelters to entry points within the capital from Midnight on December 31 until 6 am on January 1, regardless of travel together or separately.
