Charity boss unsurprised women feel unsafe running

A new police initiative will see female runners handed wrist-based panic alarms

A boss of a charity which provides support for female victims of violence and domestic abuse has said she is unsurprised women feel unsafe exercising at night.

Sue Coleman, chief executive of West Mercia Women's Aid, made the comments after West Mercia Police announced its Female Runners Safety Initiative, which will see wrist-based panic alarms handed out to participants at the Hereford Park Run on Saturday.

She said she felt "really encouraged" by the new campaign had gained but called on men to call out men who made women feel uncomfortable.

A survey conducted in 2024 by Sport England's 'This Girl Can' found that 72% of women changed their behaviour when exercising during winter.

In response, Senior PCSO Charlotte House secured funding for the wrist-based panic alarms.

SPCSO House would be at the Hereford event from 08:30 GMT onwards to catch women before their warmup, police said.

Listen: Do women feel safe running at night?

They added she would also be around after the run for anyone to discuss specific concerns.

'Time for men to stand up'

Ms Coleman said that her "perpetual state is very angry and indignant that women's lives should be dominated by the fear they're potentially going to be assaulted".

Addressing female runners feeling unsafe, she said: "It's going to change if men start to stand up and call it out.

"The women's movement has been calling out male violence for decades and achieved a great deal but it's still not achieved anywhere near enough."

John Campion, the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner said the sad fact extra protection was needed for females in society.

"The stats show that not only are they disproportionately victims of crime but also that they feel unsafe.

"For me, this [initiative] isn't a fix it's just one thing in making sure we change that sad fact that society needs to recognise and change."