'Walk and talk' scheme targets women's safety

Concerns about poor street lighting and harassment can be discussed with female police officers

Women who feel unsafe in public spaces in nine towns across Devon and Cornwall are being encouraged to walk along routes with a police officer.

The Walk and Talk initiative was launched by London's Metropolitan Police Service in 2021 following the kidnap and killing of  Sarah Everard, a case which sparked a debate about women's safety.

Any concerns about things such as poor street lighting or harassment could be discussed with a female officer, to be shared with community partners for action, project leaders said.

After a three-month trial, the scheme is continuing for over-18s in Truro and Falmouth in Cornwall; and Plymouth, Barnstaple, Exeter, Exmouth, Torquay, Paignton and Newton Abbot in Devon.

Students Caitlyn Murray (left) and Aisha Lord said the initiative could be helpful to identify improvements, such as better street lighting

In Falmouth, student Aisha Lord said she often felt very unsafe on a route she walked from her house into the town.

She said: "It was the quickest, but it was dark and isolated and I always felt tense. When I'm walking alone, I always make sure I have my keys out and ready, and I would never wear headphones.

"Falmouth is not too bad, but I've had people following close behind and harassing me. This happens on a regular basis."

Fellow student Caitlyn Murray said she felt particularly unsafe at night.

She said: "It's never a good idea to walk alone. I'm always looking over my shoulder and I'll try my best to get a taxi or bus.

"I've had people closely following and I've taken shelter in a shop and phoned somebody to make it clear I'm on the phone. You can never be too careful."

PC Lucy Robinson says any concerns will be discussed with local councils and other partners

Neighbourhood beat manager for Barnstaple Constable Lucy Robinson has walked routes with women in the town.

She said: "Initially, when they mention where it is, I think I do know that area, or I might not be so familiar with it and, when we've walked it, I can see where the problems are.

"They will tell me where they feel unsafe though, because it's all about listening to how people feel and then taking appropriate action."

The Devon and Cornwall force said Walk and Talk was one element of what was being done to tackle violence against women and girls.

It said other included initiatives such as Project NightEye during evenings and nights, which targets potential male perpetrators of violence against women and girls.

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