PRESS RELEASE- Nationwide plans announced to design safer streets as 9 in 10 women report feeling unsafe walking at night

New government guidance will be issued to councils to help them consider how to make their streets safer for women and girls.

Summary: Safer Streets Initiative – Key Safeguarding Insights

The UK Government has announced new nationwide plans to improve the safety of public spaces, particularly for women and girls, in response to significant concerns about personal safety. Evidence shows that almost 9 in 10 women report feeling unsafe when walking alone after dark, highlighting a systemic safeguarding issue affecting freedom of movement and wellbeing.

The initiative, led by Active Travel England, will provide guidance to local authorities on designing safer streets. Proposed measures include improved street lighting, increased CCTV coverage, and the removal or redesign of high-risk environments such as underpasses. There is also consideration of practical interventions, such as enabling safer transport options at night.

A key safeguarding principle underpinning the plans is a shift in responsibility from individuals managing their own safety to creating environments that actively reduce risk. The approach emphasises listening to lived experience, recognising that many women currently alter behaviour (e.g. changing routes or avoiding travel at night) due to safety concerns.

Overall, the programme positions safer street design as a critical component of preventing harm, promoting inclusivity, and enabling equal access to public spaces. It reinforces the need for multi-agency collaboration and environmental design as core elements of safeguarding practice.

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