STAFF at Morrisons, cinemas and Bradford hairdressers could soon be part of a push to improve the safety of women and girls in the district.

The issue has been a major focus for West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Deputy Mayor Alison Lowe, who oversees policing in the area.

At a meeting of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel on Friday, members will be given an update on the work to improve women’s safety.

A report to the committee reveals that more businesses will soon be involved in campaigns to spot the signs of domestic abuse, and offer aid to women who may be in need.

It reveals work is being done with supermarket giant Morrisons, one of Bradford’s biggest employers, to train staff to spot the signs of domestic abuse among patrons or colleagues.

The report says: “Bradford is also working with Morrisons to train managers about language, signs and what to do if disclosures are made to them by patrons or if they have concerns about domestic abuse amongst their staff.”

Similar work is being done with local salons as part of a campaign called 'Cut it Out'.

The report says: “Officers in Bradford, Wakefield and Kirklees are working with hairdressers and beauty salons to encourage staff who have conversation with clients, so they know what to do if disclosures are made about domestic abuse, coercive control, or other related offences.”

The 'Ask for Angela' scheme already runs in a lot of Bradford bars and clubs.

If women feel threatened, but feel they may not be able to say so publicly, they ask a member of staff if they can speak to 'Angela'. 

Staff then respond to this phrase by helping the women or girls to a safe space and offering the support they need.

The report going before the panel on Friday says this scheme will soon be rolled out more widely in Bradford, adding: “It scheme has, so far, focused on licensed premises but it is intended to expand it to a broader range of establishments such as cinemas, snooker halls, shisha lounges and leisure centres.

“Over the next five months, from April 23 Bradford will be seeking to raise awareness of the scheme and to develop a formal register of establishments participating.

“This will require premises to meet an agreed set of criteria, following which quality assurance processes will be put in place to support premises to be successful on the scheme.”