Women fear for their safety during evening runs

Maria Hedges and Julie Cleverly say they take extra precautions while out running

A woman said she was "the most scared" she has "ever been" while out running in the dark.

Maria Hedges, from Swindon, was running her usual route in Foxhill with a friend when she heard a car behind her: "They turned the headlights off and drove up to us, looking out the window.

"That is the most scared we've ever been. We ended up bailing from the run because they came back again. We picked up a tree branch off the floor so we had something with us."

Ms Hedges is a member of the Swindon running group Slinn Allstars, which says it wants to support women to feel safe while exercising at night.

Julie Cleverly, also a member of the running group, says she feels much safer running with others.

"I don't go out on my own really… the clubs are great. They've always got people who give you good advice and a strong support network," she said.

Club member Amelia Gates shared one of her experiences while running at night.

"This guy approached me on a bike, and ten minutes later I saw him again, speaking to me and asking if I had a boyfriend. It's just not very nice.

"To be honest, you kind of expect it. It's just what it's like to be a woman," she said.

Slinn Allstars participated in a nationwide movement organised by Sport England's This Girl Can campaign.

Let's Lift the Curfew aims to tackle the barriers that prevent many women from exercising outdoors during the darker months. Hundreds of runs took place across the country on Tuesday evening to show support for women's safety.

Slinn Allstars has seen a rise in membership during the darker months

Chairman of the club, Craig Brett says it is an issue the club was keen to support.

"We want to make sure everybody gets out and doesn't feel intimidated by being out in the dark, it's safer to run with people,

"We definitely see an uptake in our numbers over the winter months as soon as the clocks go back," he said.

Research by This Girl Can found that almost three-quarters (72%) of women in the UK change their outdoor activity routines during winter.

Chairman Craig Brett says he wants the run club to be a safe environment

Kate Dale, marketing director for Sport England's This Girl Can campaign, says the campaign is focused on raising awareness and educating men on how they can help women feel safer.

"If you find yourself behind a woman who's walking or running, cross the road. Make it clear that you're not a threat, that you're not following her.

"We know it's very few men who make us feel unsafe, but we don't know which ones they are. Talk to your partners, your daughters, your sisters, your mothers, your female friends and listen to their stories," Ms Dale said.

Det Insp Troy Smith, of Wiltshire Police's Violence Against Women and Girls Department, is urging people to report any predatory behaviour.

"Our goal is to make Wiltshire a hostile environment for predators and to prevent harm before it occurs.

"I want to reassure the public that Wiltshire Police welcomes all community intelligence. Every piece of information is valuable," Det Insp Smith said.