Welsh hotel offers ‘safe place’ for women and girls ‘at risk’ in wake of Sarah Everard death

A Welsh hotel has offered a “safe place” to women and girls who are “at risk”, in the wake of the death of Sarah Everard.

The Angel Hotel in Cardiff put out the message on its social media channels following the news about Ms Everard, who went missing while walking home from a friend’s house on 3 March. Her body was later found in woodland in Kent.

A spokesperson for the hotel said that it wants everyone to “feel like they have somewhere to go if they need help”.

A vigil was held in south London to mourn her passing and which led to the Metropolitan Police coming under fire from across the political spectrum for its handling of the gathering.

Several hundred people gathered on Clapham Common on Saturday evening to pay tribute to 33-year-old, whose death has sparked a public debate over women’s safety.

Officers were seen handcuffing and leading women away from the event. The police have said four arrests were made at the vigil to “protect people’s safety” and enforce Covid-19 rules.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has asking it a report on what happened, while London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “urgently seeking an explanation”.

‘Intimidated’ 

The hotel put out a message on Facebook that said: “In light of the devastating news regarding Sarah Everard this week, here at the Angel Hotel we would like to offer women & girls who feel intimidated, scared or at risk in Cardiff city centre a ‘safe place’.

“Please come into reception & a member of our team will help you call a taxi, friend or family member to ensure you get home safe.

“Our doors are open 24/7 & we will help. We are a business with females at the forefront & we want everyone to feel like they have somewhere to go if they need help. We are here.”

It added: “We just want to reiterate the fact that ‘everyone’ is welcome to seek a safe place to wait or call someone if they are feeling vulnerable.

“There’s no bias but we wanted to ensure in the light of recent events women & girls knew where we were, but of course if ANYONE needs assistance, we are here.”