A SCHEME offering help to people feeling distressed in licensed premises in Salisbury was put to the test recently.

Members of Soroptimist International of Salisbury carried out audits of pubs and bars across the city, reviewing the implementation of the Ask for Angela scheme.

Ask for Angela is a code used by anyone feeling anxious or distressed in licensed premises, with bar staff trained to respond discreetly, offering help such as a safe exit, managing the removal of harassers, calling a taxi, or in extreme cases, contacting the police.

To assess how effectively the scheme was being implemented in Salisbury, Soroptimists visited 46 venues over three consecutive nights.

Bar staff were asked if they understood the scheme, what training was in place, if posters were displayed, and whether they had ever received an Ask for Angela request.

Only eight venues were unaware of the scheme, and 20 had staff training, the group said.

Six venues reported handling a request successfully, showing increased public use and staff awareness.

Soroptimist member Liz Batten, who organised the audits, said: “The aim of the audits was to gain an appreciation of what safeguards are in place and how well integrated they are to make the night time economy in Salisbury a safe place for women and girls.”

The audits were supported by Salisbury City Councillor Sharon Rideout, members of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and escorted by the military police.

They were carried out as part of Safer Business Action Week in November, with a full report set to be presented this month.