Designated ‘Safe Place’ open for anyone who needs it at Cardiff Central railway station

British Transport Police and Transport for Wales offers safe place for anyone who needs it at Cardiff Central railway station.

The area, located next to the front ticket office, is a safe environment for anyone who needs help or feels vulnerable to use.

The facility provides a safe place for BTP’s neighbourhood policing team to speak to anyone who they have safeguarding or welfare concerns for, allowing officers to conduct enquiries with relatives or partner agencies, without having to take people to a police station.

It will also act as a community engagement hub for officers and PCSOs to provide crime prevention advice to passengers, giving people the opportunity to meet the local neighbourhood policing team.

Other organisations have been invited to share the space, including the Welsh Ambulance Service, South Wales Police and Cardiff Youth Services.

BTP Sergeant Simon Livsey said:

“We’re so pleased to be able to offer a safe and convenient place at the heart of the city for anyone to use during station opening hours.

“Sadly, we come across vulnerable people every day on the rail network, so we’re thankful to now have an accessible place to provide support to anyone who needs it.

“Cardiff Central station is being used as a pilot, which we hope to be able to replicate elsewhere on the network in Wales and beyond.”

Leyton Powell, Safety and Sustainability Director at Transport for Wales, said:

“The safety and well-being of all our customers is always important to us, especially those who may be vulnerable. As part of the community we are pleased to offer this space and further support with our partners, the British Transport Police, along with other professional agencies.

“We have implemented a number of initiatives over the last few years that has resulted in our staff identifying and supporting people at their time of need – this new space will allow them to do this in a safer environment.

“Cardiff Central is Wales’ busiest station, and we want everyone arriving or leaving the capital through the station to have a safe and comfortable journey.”

Darren Panniers, Area Operations Manager (ABUHB) for Welsh Ambulance Service said:

“This is a great facility that is being shared by several agencies for the good of the community and any visitors to our capital.

“It will not only help the vulnerable but anybody in need of on-the-spot support whether it be practical, emotional or physical.

“The clinicians of our city centre Cycle Response Unit will be based at the Safe Place ensuring we have great access onto Cardiff’s busy streets to attend medical emergencies.

“We extend our thanks to Transport for Wales and British Transport Police and look forward to assisting the public in every way we can.”

The facility is registered on the Cardiff Safe Places scheme – a network of organisations across the city offering a refuge to anyone feeling intimidated, scared or at risk.

Adrian Field, Executive Director of FOR Cardiff said: 

“Our ambition is to make Cardiff a city where people feel confident and welcome when walking through the capital, night or day.

“With Cardiff Central station registering to be a Safe Place, it expands the scheme to ensure that we all do our bit to create a safer and more welcoming environment for all who live, work or visit Cardiff city centre.

“We encourage anyone who might be coming into Cardiff to download the Safe Places app, it shows users in real time their closest Safe Place and directs them to it via a map.”

Any issues on the rail network can be reported to BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.