A family-run, karma-driven Twickenham newsagent has become one of many UK shops and other services which use the #AskForAngela code designed to tackle sexual harassment and violence.

Meet and Deep newsagents on Hampton Road use the code as one of many 'karmic' good deeds and services to the local community, including offering conversation to the lonely, a community safe space, and a food bank established during lockdown.

Meet Patel, one of two sons who help run the business, said: "It's a platform for us to help people in the community.

"Yeah, sure, you can buy your milk and your bread from us, but also you can come in and have a chat if you're feeling lonely, or if you feel worried about something you can come in and seek some help."

#AskForAngela, a code devised by the Metropolitan Police service, originated with Lincolnshire County Council and was introduced to Richmond borough in May 2021.

The simple premise is employed by venues across the UK and allows someone in a vulnerable position to ask for help by asking 'for Angela' to indicate they are in danger.

Meet and Deep notify the public of their community space and services through use of a blackboard placed outside the shop.

Richmond Police has issued specific training to venues across the borough to tackle sexual and domestic violence, and to notice the signs of someone in a potentially vulnerable position.

PC John McGann of Richmond Police said: "The Patels are an amazing family who have been part of the Twickenham community for the past 40 years.

"They have run a range of initiatives for the community, including helping people struggling with loneliness, providing a safe space for children on their way home from school, and for adults who might feel frightened or vulnerable."

Meet's younger brother Deep Patel said: "The Sarah Everard case really brought to light that particularly women, young women, feel unsafe and we know it's something that wasn't spoken about so much."

Deep said that their family's principles stem from their Indian heritage; the two sons were raised to be respectful towards women, and their mother served in the women's army in India.

The Twickenham newsagent runs its services on the Hindu principle of Karma.

Deep said: "We're a very spiritual family and it gives us a basis to practice what we believe life's about.

"The shop gives us an excellent basis to do that, because where else would you meet people from all walks of life coming in?

"It's like a little microcosm of the world."

The newsagent is seen metaphorically as an extension of the Patel family living room, and a model of the Hindu God Ganesh sits atop the door frame to the entrance.

Meet said that each morning the family pray that everybody who walks under the doorway gets blessed and finds that path in life that they're looking for.

"They're protected from anything bad, and that we can perform good karma and help people in the way that Ganesh wants us to."

Meet and Deep consider honesty and integrity to be core principles of their business, in addition to a providing a welcoming atmosphere and sheltered safe space for the vulnerable.

Deep said: "If it's raining, come stand-in. If you feel that anybody is following you, you are in danger, worried about something in your home: you can come into the shop and you can use this phrase in conversation. We'll know what to do."

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