Walk in My Shoes: Angel Row help point used within a week of its launch
A 24-hour CCTV emergency help point in Angel Row saw its first call for assistance in the first week of it being installed.
Nottinghamshire Police launched its Walk in My Shoes campaign at the end of March 2025 to find out the areas where women and girls felt unsafe.
The bespoke survey, launched with support from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, attracted more than 3,600 responses and was supported by, Nottingham Forest Netball Team, Tara’s Angels, and These Girls Run.
Five key locations were identified across the city and county, with Angel Row being one of the locations where women and girls wanted extra security.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire approved the funding for the 24-hour help point, which launched on July 31.
The help point allows anyone in distress or in need of emergency support to speak directly to CCTV control room operators at the touch of a button.
It also provides extra CCTV coverage in the area.
On Saturday, 8 August, just after 3am, a woman felt that she was being followed by a man dressed in all black clothing.
She pressed the button on the help point and got straight through to the control room, with officers immediately deployed to the area.
They took the woman to a place of safety and found the man in question.
Officers carried out the relevant checks including taking his details and told him to leave the area, which he was happy to do so.
There were no grounds, at this stage, for arrest.
However, the man was monitored through the CCTV network until he left the city centre.
Nottinghamshire's Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Angela Kandola, the OPCC's strategic lead for Tackling Violence against Women and Girls, said: "This is a powerful example of what can be achieved when we listen to women and girls and act on what they tell us.
"The Angel Row help point was introduced because women and girls told us they wanted to feel safer in this area, and within its first week it has already provided vital reassurance and support to someone who felt she was being followed.
"Everyone should be able to walk through our city centre without fear, and I want women and girls to know that their concerns are being heard and acted upon.
"Tackling violence against women and girls requires partnership, listening and practical action. We will continue to work with Nottinghamshire Police, our communities and our partners to make our streets safer and ensure women and girls feel confident to go about their daily lives without fear."
Superintendent Heather Maelor, one of the force leads for Violence Against Women and Girls, said: "We want women and girls to feel safe in Nottingham city centre, and the Angel Row help point is a direct response to what women and girls asked for.
"I'm glad that it was able to help a woman who felt that her safety was compromised and that the man was found and questioned by our officers. We hope that anyone who feels unsafe in the city or notices any concerning behaviour uses our help point.
"The control room staff will be available to help at all times, 24 hours a day, and as soon as the help point is pressed, the CCTV is immediately activated, offering further reassurance to the person in need of help or assistance."