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uk Personal safety & immediate danger feel unsafe at a venue • unsafe pub or bar • unsafe nightclub • security not responding • staff not helping • bouncers ignoring you • venue situation escalating • crowd getting aggressive • threatened on a night out • someone following me in a bar • can’t find a safe exit • separated from friends at venue • ask for angela • can’t speak call 999 • silent solution 999 • press 55 on 999 • emergency 112 uk • worried about being attacked • harassment at a venue • unsafe event or gig

What to do if…
you feel unsafe at a venue because staff or security are not responding and the situation is escalating

Short answer

Move to a safer spot and leave the venue without confrontation if you can. If you think you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 (or 112) yourself now.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t try to “win the argument” or prove you’re right to the person escalating things.
  • Don’t let staff/security delay you with “wait there” if you feel the risk is rising.
  • Don’t go outside alone with someone who’s pressuring you (even “to talk”).
  • Don’t head into isolated areas (toilets, stairwells, back corridors) unless it’s the only way to break contact.
  • Don’t post publicly about it while you’re still there.
  • Don’t assume you must stay because you’ve paid, have a tab open, or you’re “making a fuss”.

What to do now

  1. Create distance first (30–60 seconds). Move to a brighter, busier area where other people can see you (bar, front desk, cloakroom). Keep a clear route to the main exit.
  2. Make a direct safety request to one specific person. Point to someone and say:
    “I feel unsafe. I need you to help me leave safely now.”
    If the venue participates in a codeword scheme (for example, you’ve seen signage), you can also try asking staff for “Angela” to discreetly signal you need help.
  3. If staff/security still don’t respond: leave. Go with a friend or nearby group if possible. If you’re alone, move towards the busiest public exit and keep your phone in your hand (not buried in a bag).
  4. Call 999 (or 112) if danger feels immediate. Give: venue name, address (or nearby street/landmark), what’s happening, where you are inside (e.g., “by the main bar”, “front entrance”), and whether anyone is injured or you’ve seen a weapon. Ask the call handler to stay on the line while you move to the safest reachable point.
  5. If you can’t safely speak, use the Silent Solution. Call 999 and listen. If you can, respond by coughing or tapping when asked. On a mobile, you may be prompted to press 55 to confirm it’s a real emergency so you can be put through to police.
  6. Make your exit “boring and fast.” Don’t announce you’re calling police. Don’t argue. Go straight to a well-lit public place (open shop, hotel lobby, busy street) rather than a quiet side road.
  7. Stabilise the next 5 minutes once you’re out.
    • Call a trusted person and tell them exactly where you are.
    • Arrange transport from a safe pickup point (visible, well-lit, near other people).
    • If you think you’re being followed, go into a staffed place and call 999.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now whether to make a formal complaint, leave a review, or “prove” what happened.
  • You do not need to sort out refunds, tabs, coats, or belongings until you are safe.
  • You do not need to confront staff/security about their failure to act in the moment.

Important reassurance

When a situation is escalating and the people “in charge” aren’t responding, it’s normal to freeze or doubt yourself. Trust the feeling that something is tipping—your job in this moment is to reduce risk and get to safety.

Scope note

These are first steps to get you out safely and help you involve emergency services if needed. After you’re safe, you may want support to document what happened and decide whether to report it.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If you believe you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 (or 112). If a crime may have happened, you can report it to police (999 in an emergency, 101 for non-emergencies). If you later want to raise concerns about a venue’s safety practices, you can contact your local council’s licensing team. If you believe security staff were acting illegally or without the proper licence, you can also report a crime or concern to the Security Industry Authority.

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