Taxi marshals introduced in Salisbury to create a safer night out over Christmas

Taxi marshals have been deployed in Salisbury over the festive period to help people get home safely and support the nighttime economy in the city.

The marshals, which started last Friday (December 12th), are responsible for managing the main taxi areas in the city centre, controlling queues and helping vulnerable people find licensed transport home. AEC Protection, who currently provide ASB wardens in the city, will deploy two marshals from 10 pm-4.30 am on the following dates:

• Friday 19th
• Saturday 20th
• Wednesday 24th
• Friday 26th
• Saturday 27th
• Wednesday 31st

The initiative costs £4,200 and is funded through the ASB Hotspot Action Fund, which is managed by the Police & Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, working with Salisbury City Council, who manage the contract with AEC Protection.

The marshals are linked directly to the council’s CCTV control room as well as the local Neighbourhood Police Team. This is intended to speed up responses when incidents occur and provide additional oversight of activity around the main taxi areas.

The city centre also benefits from having street pastors present, whose kit includes bottles of water, lollipops, and emergency space blankets, as well as a dustpan and brush to clear up broken glass.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson said, “During the festive period, we want to encourage people to visit all venues knowing that they will be safe and that they can get home safely as well.

“My office has already funded two Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training sessions for venues across the city, and by facilitating funding for the taxi marshals, we are creating a comprehensive package to ensure a safer night out in Salisbury.

“By bringing together key partners, we can work to ensure we provide a safe drinking environment for everyone.”

Throughout December, officers from Wiltshire Police have been engaging in high-visibility patrols in Salisbury city centre, working with partner agencies to carry out licensing checks and ensure safety in the nighttime economy.

Inspector Tina Osborn, Salisbury Neighbourhood Policing Team, said, “We welcome the deployment of taxi marshals in Salisbury over the festive period as it is a busy time of year in the city with many people out celebrating. We are committed to working with our partners to ensure Salisbury remains a safe and welcoming place to socialise.”

The taxi marshals form part of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s “Getting You Home Safe” campaign, which highlights the measures being undertaken to improve public safety at night. This includes street pastors, safety wardens, WAVE training and the Ask for Angela scheme.

The campaign also encourages people to plan ahead, look out for each other, and use personal safety apps to stay connected. Advice on safe travel is available through Wiltshire Police’s Travel Safe webpage and guidance from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. People travelling over the festive period will also be able to send a text message directly to the British Transport Police on 61016 to report non-emergency crime or concerns. 

Cllr Sam Charleston, Leader of Salisbury City Council, said, “Having taxi marshals in place gives people a clear point of guidance when the city is at its busiest. They help keep the taxi ranks organised, ensure queues move fairly, and offer support when people aren’t sure where to go. It’s a simple addition that helps the overall system run more smoothly.”