The "Ask for Angela" safeguarding initiative has been rolled out for a second consecutive year to all bar and security staff at Belsonic, with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) joining forces with Belsonic and EventSec to assure festival-goers that they "do not dance around the seriousness of predatory behaviours."

As the festival season intensifies in Belfast, this collaborative effort aims to create a safer environment for all attendees. Bar and security staff across all upcoming Belsonic events have received renewed training in the "Ask for Angela" scheme. This means that if any festival-goer feels unsafe or uncomfortable at any point, they can discreetly ask any bar or security staff member for "Angela."

Under the scheme, staff are trained to recognise "Angela" as a code word indicating a person needs help. They will then discreetly take the individual aside to understand the support required. This support can range from reuniting them with a trusted person, ensuring safe taxi travel, calling security to remove someone causing distress, or contacting the police. For the second year running, the PSNI is expanding this initiative to local festivals and events across Northern Ireland throughout the summer.

Superintendent Gillian Kearney highlighted the importance of the ongoing initiative: "Those who are heading out to enjoy the music and other festivities this summer, we want to ensure that you do so safely, which is why it is so important that we are continuing to work closely with event organisers such as Belsonic to expand 'Ask for Angela' into these spaces. Everybody should be able to attend local festivals and cultural events this summer and feel safe. Unfortunately we know that that is not always the case due to a small minority of those who target vulnerable people with predatory behaviours." Superintendent Kearney added that police officers would support the initiative with increased patrols, both uniformed and plain-clothed, actively looking for predatory behaviours and safeguarding vulnerable individuals. She noted that local district policing teams have integrated tackling violence against women and girls into their event planning, including "designing out crime" through considerations for lighting, enhanced CCTV, and strategic security placement, particularly around toilet areas. "We committed through our Tackling Violence against Women and Girls Action Plan to do all we can to safeguard the vulnerable and target perpetrators, and that is what we intend to do this summer and beyond," she affirmed.

Belsonic is set to welcome thousands of attendees this weekend as it returns to Ormeau Park, Belfast, bringing a host of international headline acts throughout June 2025.

Joe Dougan, Belsonic Promoter, commented: "Customer safety has always been a key focus at Belsonic, and we are pleased to work alongside The Police Service of Northern Ireland and EventSec, with the 'Ask for Angela' safeguarding initiative, to ensure we can offer the safest possible space within which to enjoy these world class musical acts."

Andy McGowan, Quality & Compliance Manager, from EventSec, added: "EventSec Ltd are pleased to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland with the 'Ask for Angela' initiative. Over the summer months EventSec will provide security staff at all major events. Our staff have received training in the initiative and will also be briefed at each event. Event goers can now have confidence that if they get into difficulty at an event, EventSec staff can help them if they 'Ask for Angela'."

Even more local venues are being encouraged to register for the scheme via the Hospitality Ulster website: . Membership of Hospitality Ulster is not required to access the training.

Chief Superintendent Kearney further urged: "Neighbourhood Policing Teams are out and about at this time, encouraging as many local businesses as possible to sign up. We know our hospitality sector is already committed to keeping people safe, by signing up to this scheme they are making a public pledge to help and support their customers when they need them the most."

For more information on the "Ask for Angela" initiative in Northern Ireland, visit: www.psni.police.uk/AskForAngela