A bus that offers a safe haven for vulnerable town centre visitors is rolling through Haringey once again. Following success last year, the SOS Bus is returning to the borough’s streets for a series of weekends until the New Year. The bus, which is funded by Haringey Council and the Metropolitan Police and provided by Colchester-based charity Open Road , is manned by volunteers from HAGA (Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol) and BUBIC (Bringing Unity Back into the Community). It is designed as a safe place for people who experience trouble with violence, drugs or alcohol and are in the town centre late at night. Medical care is available, as well as advice, information and referral to other means of support.
Last weekend (November 20 and 21) it was stationed on Tottenham High Road and Muswell Hill Broadway and this weekend between 8pm and 2am it will return to the same spot in Muswell Hill and will also be visible at the junction of Ashmount Road and High Road, Tottenham.
Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety Cllr Bernice Vanier said:
“The SOS bus is one way we can help make our town centres safer for people to visit. It would not be possible to provide this support without the hours put in by the volunteers who man the bus so we’re hugely grateful to HAGA and BUBIC for their time and effort.”