On Saturday 30th April we held our very first town hall meeting at the Apollo Buckingham Health Sciences Campus in Crewe. We welcomed representatives from local police, council, charities, and of course, the general public, to come along and share their thoughts about women’s security.

We were delighted with the turnout, and shared some truly thought provoking and candid conversations about women’s lived experience and security issues.

Representatives from the local police discussed initiatives that have been put in place to safeguard women. Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, and Chief Inspector Claire Jesson told us that Cheshire East now has dedicated domestic abuse cars that respond to incidents 24/7. They also explained that additional officers now patrol on foot around our local communities at night-time, and that a safety bus has been deployed at weekends to provide transport home for women.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire John Dwyer, Amaka Lawton,
Chief Inspector Claire Jesson & Ken Lawton.

We were also joined by the owner of Nantwich nightclub Nakatcha, Clive Webb. Clive talked to us about the risks for women within the night-time economy, and the details of safety measures that have been put in place at his nightclub to protect women, in particular, anti-spiking measures.

Ken Lawton & Amaka Lawton, Crewe Mayor Cllr Tom Dunlop, Police and Crime Commissioner
for Cheshire John Dwyer, Nantwich nightclub owner Clive Webb
and Foundation trustee Ashley Weaver.

Women’s safety at night was a particularly popular topic of conversation at the event. So, it was encouraging to hear that business owners within the night-time economy are taking women’s security seriously, and that local police are focusing on initiatives to increase the number of police on the ground after dark and providing safe transport home for women.

Amaka Lawton, Ijeoma Mba (founder of Nene TLC), & Michelle Williams-Rimmer (part of the Alpha Omega WPS team).

Amaka Lawton with a group of attendees.

A fantastic morning was shared, full of ideas and advice, and we can’t wait to welcome you all to another town hall meeting very soon!