Hospitality bosses working on safety boosts

Hospitality bosses have told the government they are working to enhance guests' safety after a man was jailed for sexually assaulting a woman in her hotel room.

She told the BBC in March that she woke up to find she was being attacked at a Travelodge in Maidenhead, Berkshire, by Kyran Smith, who lied to staff to get a key card to get to her in 2022.

Dozens of other people said they were affected by lax security in various hotels across the country.

UKHospitality, which represents hotels and other venues including pubs and restaurants, shared its plans to boost existing guidance with ministers at a meeting on Friday.

It said other work will highlight training and safety protocols to businesses to "complement other safety procedures and support teams on the frontline".

Charities including Rape Crisis and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust will support businesses in how to identify and report abuse, it added.

Travelodge, which is based in Thame, Oxfordshire, has been contacted to comment.

Kate Nicholls, the chair of UKHospitality, said guests' safety is its "utmost priority" and a "responsibility that the entire hospitality sector takes incredibly seriously."

Its consultation with its members is out for consultation and it said it will continue working with the government.

"It's positive to hear recognition of the sector's ongoing work in this area and it's critical we work together to support our teams on the frontline, including the need to expand protections for retail staff to hospitality," she added.

Tourism minister Stephanie Peacock said: "It is vital that everyone, whether a visitor, a guest or a member of staff, feels safe and secure.

"I am encouraged by the ambition shown by businesses building on the work the sector is already doing to protect guests and visitors and look forward to seeing these further commitments translate into meaningful, measurable change."