Newcastle-based taxi company Budget is stepping up its involvement with Women’s Street Watch Newcastle (WSWNCL) by giving them a credit limit of free taxis every month for their use in securing the safety of women travelling home alone at night.
The group, which was set up by Beth Dunn and her girlfriend to patrol the streets of Newcastle to keep women safe, following the murders of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa, has been successfully running since October 2021. Now, groups of volunteers wearing pink hi-vis jackets are a familiar sight on the streets every weekend.
Beth Dunn, from Women’s Street Watch Newcastle said: “We’re extremely grateful for all of the suggested ways in which Budget Taxis are offering to help our cause and this is just one of the many incentives we will be hoping to roll out, in order to ensure the safety of vulnerable women out at night in Newcastle.”
Since the group has been founded, the volunteers have been patrolling the streets of Newcastle City Centre every Friday and Saturday evenings from around 10pm-3/4am. Typically, a shift will see them assist women who may have had too much to drink, had their drinks spiked or simply just lost their friends. Their intention is to ensure that they get home safely. They distribute water, snacks and phone chargers as well as providing support in finding lost friends or even just a chat.
David Singh (pictured), Budget’s customer care manager, said: “We have been in correspondence with WSWNCL since their launch last year with ideas of ways in which we can help, and this is just one of the many initiatives we would like to roll out to assist them. No woman on a night out should feel unsafe and if there is a way in which we, at Budget Taxis can help, then we want to do our part.”
For more information on Women’s Street Watch Newcastle go to their Facebook page: WSWNCL.
