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Council launches night safety programme that will tackle sexual harassment in the West End

  • The Night Safety programme delivers six crucial initiatives to combat sexual harassment.
  • A behavioural change campaign targets by standers to call out unwanted behaviour and underlines ‘It’s Her City Too.
  • Information will be shared on TfL services and at central London underground stations.

Westminster City Council received the largest grant in London from the Home Office to tackle women’s safety concerns in the night-time economy. 

The local authority was awarded £289,600 of funding last year to deliver 6 crucial initiatives that aim to reduce the rates of sexual harassment in Westminster as Crimes against women are on the rise. The behavioural change campaign will combat illicit, unwanted, and illegal behaviour against women whilst targeting the behaviour of potential offenders of sexual offences, as well as bystanders.

Using the slogan ‘It’s Her City Too’, the key message for men and by-standers is to take responsibility for everyone’s safety and challenges us all to play a part in stopping sexual harassment.

A social media campaign video and advertising on TfL services will ensure that visitors to Westminster know what to look out for and call out any unwanted behaviour. It will complement the Mayor of London’s ‘Have a Word’ Campaign.

Night Star volunteers – widely recognised as pioneers in City safety – have also been expanded to patrol extra streets offering help, protection against sexual harassment, or steer people who may have simply overdone it. The night safety programme encompasses the creation of safe havens around the city, a business accreditation scheme, night safety walks and women’s safety training for business staff.

The training complements existing schemes such as ‘Ask for Angela’ and Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training to encourage early interventions and support from businesses to their customers.

Making sure all users of Westminster’s evening night-time economy stay safe is a top priority in the Fairer Westminster delivery plan, however women’s safety continues to be an issue. Over the last year, there has been an 11% increase in sexual offences in the borough with a shocking 84% of those victims being women. Moreover, in a Westminster City Council survey, it was found that a third of women in the borough had had a personal experience of street harassment, and 45% reported feeling unsafe at night. The most common crimes being violence and sexual offences in 2021, this is particularly high in the West End.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Protection Cllr Aicha Less said:

The West End should be a fun and safe place for our residents and visitors to enjoy. Everyone, especially women, shouldn’t have to deal with sexual harassment.

I’ve lived in Westminster all my life and want others to experience the exciting and fun city that I know. But as the mother of two daughters who grew up in central London, I understand the anxieties parents have when their children go out.

As part of our Fairer Communities commitment, we don’t want anyone to feel unsafe or have their night ruined by the pathetic behaviour of certain individuals and are calling for everyone to take responsibility for the behaviour of others.”

By showing how to spot illicit behaviour against women, the Behavioural change campaign aims to make central London a safer environment for people to visit. The Night Safety webpage shares more information and tips for a safe night out in Westminster.

 

Published: 6 April 2023