Crowds returning for the Frankfurt Market and late-night trade say safety is on their minds. Police have increased visibility, and workers want better lighting and clearer routes home. This report asks what makes people feel safe in Birmingham after dark.
00:01The market pulls heavy footfall along New Street and into Victoria Square.
00:06That's good for trade but pressure points build fast at closing time, lighting exits and underpasses and queues for rides home.
00:14Police say they're using high visibility patrols and unpredictable deployments to deter crime, alongside CCTV and business wardens.
00:23The test is whether people could feel that presence, not just be told it's there.
00:28I think better lighting is a good one but I think just having like a presence of like security I think would make me feel better.
00:35We noticed it today.
00:36We noticed that there was more people around today that made it feel a bit more safe in the city centre.
00:40We were worried about coming because we'd obviously just heard that we're using transport to get here so we were like ooh.
00:45But yeah I think seeing a lot more like people being like security and stuff is a lot better.
00:51I definitely think the more police and the more people around the better as of women definitely.
00:57can feel very scary at night.
01:00Do you feel Birmingham is a safe city?
01:02No.
01:03I choose not to be here if I could.
01:06I have noticed some police about today so that's making me feel a bit more comfortable.
01:11We were aware obviously when we come out and watch your phones.
01:14Just be prepared really.
01:16Just more, just more people on the streets I think, a few more police?
01:21Erm, not particularly.
01:23And I feel like it would be more safe if we had more like police and people watching.
01:28And if they're like, like you know how there's always drunks and stuff, if there was less of them on the road then I think people would feel more safe.
01:35And if the buses came more often.
01:40Hospitality runs late and relies on staff who finish after midnight.
01:44When confidence dips, shifts go unfilled and taking slide.
01:48Bids fund wardens and street teams in several districts, working with police on problem spots.
01:54Officers say they're targeting weapon carry and antisocial behaviour as part of the wider night time plans.
02:00For workers and visitors, certainty beats slogans, clear patrols, quick responses and places that feel watched, not isolated.
02:09If the buses came more often, that would make it safer for people to, yeah, travel in the night.
02:19While public transport.
02:21I think more lighting, good lighting.
02:24Erm, then again, security out again.
02:27Cameras, the camera footage, just to watch over you.
02:32Erm, definitely, I think lighting is huge at night, like,
02:37because I don't think if people can't sneak around as much, if there's bright lights,
02:41I don't think people would feel as confident to come up to you.
02:45So bright lights is really good.
02:46And like, visible cameras and stuff, I think would make me feel better.
02:50Like, yeah.
02:52More visibility, less traffic if possible.
02:56Obviously that's how we're vulnerable.
02:58Yeah.
03:00But right now, I get more importantly, you gotta find and answer,
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