Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, Wera Hobhouse, has praised the “incredible” work of the Bath Safe Bus following a late night visit last Friday (May 15th) to see the service in action, highlighting its role in supporting women and girls, students, and vulnerable people in the city’s night-time economy.
The visit forms part of the MP’s wider campaigning on both student safety in the city and violence against women and girls more widely. Bath has a large student population, with thousands of young people living away from home for the first time. The MP says this vulnerability means it’s so important that universities, businesses and authorities work together to ensure students feel safe in every aspect of their lives.
Located in Orange Grove next to Bath Abbey, Bath Safe Bus is a double award-winning project, part of the Bath BID’s Safe and Secure Business Crime Reduction Partnerships activities. It operates on Friday and Saturday nights, offering a safe space where people can receive care, reassurance, and practical help without needing to attend A&E or call emergency services. The Safe Bus helps protect people from becoming victims of crime, reduces anti-social behaviour, helps prevent violence against women and girls, and reduces the pressures on the emergency services.
Since launching in March 2023, the Bath Safe Bus has supported more than 1,200 people, including residents, visitors, students, and members of the street community. The team is in radio contact with the Police, Ambulance Services, CCTV, local pubs and nightclubs via a digital radio system, by which clients are frequently referred to the service.
As well as offering medical care and emotional support, the Bath Safe Bus also offers practical support for those on a night out including phone charging stations, food, sexual health products – and even flip flops!
The most significant impact the project is having is helping to ease the pressures on the emergency services and reduce A&E hospital admissions. Since its launch, 477 incidents have been fully resolved at the bus – cases that would otherwise have required medical attention via emergency services.
According to the Kings Fund 2025 the estimated average cost of a patient conveyed to A&E by ambulance in 2023/24 was £459. Based on this, the Bath Safe Bus is estimated to have saved a whopping £218,943 in ambulance and A&E costs.
During the visit, Wera met with Allison Herbert, CEO of Bath Business Improvement District (BID), alongside Safe Bus medic Jessyca Holton and City Marshals, to hear how the service provides immediate, non-judgemental welfare and medical support to anyone who becomes vulnerable in the city centre at night.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, commented:
“Bath has such an exciting nightlife – it’s a favourite for stag dos, hen dos, students, visitors and residents alike. But unfortunately we do need to recognise that there is a heightened risk of physical violence, exploitation, and predatory behaviour on these nights out. The Safe Bus is an outstanding and unique example of what works in practice when it comes to keeping people safe in our night-time economy.
“It provides a crucial lifeline for anyone who finds themselves vulnerable in the city centre, and it is especially important for women and students who may be experiencing harassment, vulnerability, or fear on a night out.
“What is so impressive is not only the compassion and professionalism of the team, but the clear impact the service is having in preventing harm, easing pressure on emergency services, and making Bath a safer city for everyone.”
