Wigan Borough confirms its commitment to public safety with new Umay app partnership

Important safety advice and support is now available for those out and about in Wigan Borough at the touch of a button.

A new personal safety app – provided by tech firm UMAY – is free to download as part of a project led by Wigan Council.

Accessible on all mobile devices, the app gives quick access to journey and route planning options, maps of UMAY safe place locations, alerts trusted contacts of your location, in addition to sharing general safety advice and tips.

It also provides an option to anonymously alert users of areas they feel are unsafe, which directly helps the Community Safety Partnership target hotspot areas to review its safety.

Councillor Dane Anderton, portfolio holder for police, crime and civil contingencies, said: “Everyone has the right to a safe night out and this app is an innovative and accessible way of accessing important safety advice.

“We are encouraging residents to download it as its features – including functions to share your location with friends and family – build on the good work and messages from our Community Safety Partnership.”

The rollout of the new technology is part of work overseen by the borough’s Community Safety Partnership (WBCSP).

More than 60 UMAY safe places have been identified across the borough where fully trained volunteers are on hand to support and advice anyone who may require help.

It is aimed to build on the success of the partnership’s safety at night initiatives, which have included the Get Home Safe campaign, helping people find safe routes home and highlighting public transport options, and Call It Out, a campaign focused on exposing inappropriate behaviour.

Councillor Yvonne Klieve, lead member for night time economy, said: “This partnership solidifies our ongoing safety support available to residents and visitors of the borough and reflects the hard work put in place by Wigan Council, partners and local businesses to ensure everyone can enjoy a safe and welcoming evening out.”

Pauline Vanderquand, founder of the Umay safety app, said: “We believe everyone should have the right to travel freely without fear or intimidation and the team is delighted to partner with Wigan Council in developing our safety app. Together, we embark on a journey to make our streets safer.”

Another initiative making an impact in the borough is the WBCSP’s safety marshal programme, located in Wigan, Leigh and Atherton. Safety marshals provide a highly visible presence during weekend evenings to offer visitors help and support when enjoying their night out. As well as daytime safety marshals in Leigh to help tackle reports of anti-social behaviour.

Safety marshals work closely with the council’s CCTV team and Greater Manchester Police to ensure multi-agency support is available to all residents and visitors.

Read more about the safety at night initiative.

Residents can now download the safety app.

Download the Move safely move smartly App (external link) on the App store.

Download the UMAY App (external link) on Google Play.

The personal safety app provides additional safety features so you can feel safe when you’re out and about, but if you are in immediate danger and need to report a crime, always call 999. For non-emergencies, call 101.