A growing number of Penarth businesses have become 'Safe Places', where members of the public can seek help if they feel threatened on the high street.

Partaking shops place an orange 'Safe Place' sticker in their window, marking their commitment to helping those who may be being followed, harassed or bullied.

Craig Parker Trott, owner of Apothecary 64 on Cornerswell Road, is the man behind the initiative.

Moved in March by the murder of Sarah Everard, a 33-year-old woman in South London, Craig hopes Safe Place will help rebuild confidence in public spaces amid the pandemic-induced mental health crisis.

"Because people have been in lockdown for the whole year... I think people's confidence isn't necessarily there," he told Nub News.

"At the start of the pandemic, there was a lot of sense of community, and I think we've lost a bit of sense of community now.

"The purpose of the scheme is to build a bit of confidence back into people to come back out into the community."

Craig has worked in retail for over 20 years. During this time, he experienced people hiding in shops to evade strangers following them.

But events of the past year provoked him to launch the scheme.

"Sarah Everard was a trigger, along with Black Lives Matter. I got thinking about when I was a kid and the network that was available to me," he continued.

"We always knew the local shopkeeper, and my parents already said if ever I was in trouble between my school and the house you could always pop in and see the shopkeeper."

Eight businesses across Penarth are already displaying stickers. They include Florist 64, Apothecary 64, Gin 64, Glass by Design, Willmore's 1938, Anne Morgan Jewellery and Crepe Escape.

Angelina Hall, chair of Penarth Business Group and owner of Glass By Design, contributed to sticker printing costs out of her business' community fund.

She was driven to do so after gaining firsthand experience into the role shops can play in protecting the public.

"We had an instance where a young girl came into our shop very distressed as she was being followed. We kept her safe, calmed her down and called her parents to pick her up. As we had a first hand experience, we know this may happen again in the future.

"This is a great initiative that has had instant support from our business community."

The newly appointed Mayor of Penarth Ian Buckley also gave his support.

"It's sad that we need it, but it gives people in the town a point of safety. It's a fabulous idea and hopefully it's going to roll onto everyone.

"We need everyone to know that if they're feeling uncomfortable or threatened, there are places where people will help you."

Although crime rates are relatively low in Penarth, ten incidents of violent and sexual crime were reported in March 2021.

Although keen to remind residents that Penarth is a safe place to live, PCSO Sam Long of South Wales police commented:

"It's a fab idea... If anybody does find themselves in a situation where things are difficult, then the businesses here are happy for you to come in an ask for that."

Businesses who would like to become Safe Places can collect their stickers from the following shops:

- Apothecary64

- Willmores