The scheme has been created to improve safety in the city centre at night
FOR Cardiff has announced it will be funding a team of ten Night Marshals to strengthen and improve people’s experience of the city centre at night.
The announcement comes ahead of Judgement Day, with 50,000 people expected at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
The Night Marshals will work collaboratively with partners and members of Cardiff Against Business Crime (CABC) to help identify anti-social behaviour and work on crime prevention. They will liaise with city centre venue owners, door staff, Street Pastors and the emergency services to ensure Cardiff is a welcoming and safe city to visit.
The primary role of the Night Marshals is to provide a street presence in popular areas of the city centre and manage three taxi ranks, controlling queues and assisting vulnerable people. They will also act as night time ambassadors, offering advice and guidance to those visiting the city.
The Night Marshals will be in action, from 27 April, every Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm until 4.30am, they will also be deployed for major events including rugby internationals and large-scale concerts.
Executive Director of FOR Cardiff, Adrian Field, said: “Our remit at FOR Cardiff is to transform Cardiff city centre, making it more welcoming, vibrant and influential. Cardiff is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and we want to build on this improving people’s experiences and enhancing the potential of the night time economy.
“Following the council’s decision to remove its essential taxi marshals service, which has had a negative impact in the last three weeks, we have stepped in to provide a wider night time safety service. Our Night Marshals will support the public, businesses and other stakeholders like the Police and Street Pastors.”
Nick Newman, Chair of the Licensees Forum, said: “As members of FOR Cardiff we welcome the decision to fund the team of Night Marshals. This further represents the excellent partnership work that is being led by FOR Cardiff and which enhances Cardiff’s reputation as a safe, well-managed, and vibrant capital city.”
Chief Inspector Joe Jones from South Wales Police said: “The provision of night marshals funding by FOR Cardiff is a really important element of our partnership night time economy strategy and creating a safe and vibrant city centre is one of the key partnership priorities. We recognise how vital this service is and look forward to working collaboratively with the new team to ensure the safety of our communities, visitors and as importantly our city’s taxi drivers.”