The new team of eight officers will patrol key city centre night-time economy locations every Friday and Saturday between 9pm and 3am, providing a highly visible presence to support residents, visitors, businesses and venue staff.
Funded through West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Home Office Knife Crime Concentration Fund and Birmingham Community Safety Partnership Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) funding, the Night Watch Officers will focus on public reassurance, supporting licensed venues, managing conflict, de-escalating volatile situations, enforcing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), providing basic first aid and gathering intelligence to support wider community safety activity.
The officers will work closely with existing Business Improvement District (BID) Wardens, West Midlands Police, venue operators, CCTV services and other partners to strengthen the city's response to issues affecting the night-time economy. Together, the teams will provide enhanced coverage across the city centre, helping to identify and respond to concerns quickly, support vulnerable individuals and ensure visitors can enjoy Birmingham's nightlife safely.
As part of the initiative, the officers will also be integrated into the WalkSafe app, allowing app users to see the live location of Night Watch Officers while travelling around the city centre at night. WalkSafe is a free personal safety app supported by Birmingham City Council that helps people feel safer by enabling users to share journeys with trusted contacts, access SOS functionality, locate accredited safe spaces and receive real-time safety information. The app forms part of the council's wider commitment to tackling Violence Against Women and Girls and improving safety across Birmingham's public spaces.
The introduction of the Community Safety Night Watch Officers is another step in Birmingham City Council's ongoing work with partners to support a thriving, safe and inclusive city centre.
Councillor Harris Khaliq, Cabinet Member for City Services and Digital said: "Birmingham's city centre is one of the busiest destinations in the country, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings, and it is important that residents, visitors and businesses feel safe and supported.
"The Community Safety Night Watch Officers will provide a visible presence on our streets, working alongside BID Wardens, West Midlands Police and city centre partners to respond to issues, support vulnerable individuals and help ensure our public spaces remain welcoming and well managed.
"This initiative is another example of how we are working with partners to improve the city-centre experience and support a thriving night-time economy."
Councillor Jane Baston, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Communities and Social Justice, said: "Everyone should be able to enjoy Birmingham's night-time economy and travel around the city feeling safe and confident, regardless of their background or circumstances.
"These new officers will play an important role in supporting community safety and delivering our commitment to making Birmingham safer, particularly for women and girls and those who may feel vulnerable when out at night.
"Alongside initiatives such as WalkSafe, this investment demonstrates our determination to create a city where people feel reassured, supported and able to access help when they need it."
