Operation Halo brings VAWG Champions to Liverpool City Centre

Merseyside Police, together with local authorities and licensed venues, is launching Operation Halo, a new initiative designed to protect vulnerable individuals and tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Liverpool’s night-time economy.

A Strategic Threat Risk Assessment, carried out in 2023, highlighted that VAWG offences most often occur in busy nightlife areas, town centres, and locations with high footfall. These findings present a clear opportunity for policing and partners to work together to prevent harm and disrupt offenders.

Operation Halo will roll out in two phases. The first phase builds on the national ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme, which allows people to discreetly seek help from staff in licensed premises. Operation Halo aims to provide that extended support beyond the bars and clubs and Merseyside Police has worked with venues to train staff as VAWG Champions, individuals equipped to spot vulnerability, recognise offender behaviours, respond to incidents such as spiking, and preserve evidence where needed. These champions will be approachable and easy to spot thanks to specially designed armbands. They’ll help anyone who feels unsafe, building a culture of safety across Liverpool’s nightlife and making the night-time economy a safer place for women and girls.

To date 100 VAWG Champions have been trained and they include door staff, bar managers and taxi marshalls.

The second phase introduces Halo Points, well-lit, highly visible points across the city centre, marked by distinctive green and white lighting. Their visibility acts as a deterrent to offenders, while ensuring those who need help can access it quickly and discreetly. Each strategically placed point will offer direct contact with emergency services via 999 and will be linked to City Watch CCTV, offering immediate reassurance and rapid intervention by VAWG champions or police officers for anyone feeling vulnerable or in distress. The Halo Points will launch late December.

Community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Local universities, charities, and organisations including Savera UK, 4 Wings, and Blackburne House have welcomed the initiative. One supporter said: “As a woman, I feel very vulnerable walking through the city centre late at night. Having well-lit areas that act as signalling points or CCTV check-in points would be comforting.”

T/Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Bennett, Head of Prevention, Merseyside Police said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe when enjoying a night out, and Operation Halo is designed to offer reassurance and support. By introducing visible, accessible safety points and training approachable VAWG Champions who can be easily identified by their armbands, we’re ensuring that anyone who feels vulnerable can get help quickly and discreetly.

“This isn’t just about responding to incidents, it’s about creating a culture of safety across Liverpool’s nightlife. Working closely with our partners, we’re sending a clear message: safeguarding is a priority, and those who seek to harm others will be relentlessly pursued.”