Women feel scared in city days after fatal attack

Tire Olorire, who was in the city centre with a group friends, said she feels "scared"

Walking around with 999 pre-dialled into your phone, wondering whether your can of deodorant in your handbag would be enough of a weapon if you were attacked.

These are some of the thoughts women in Birmingham have told us they are having since 34-year-old Katie Fox was stabbed in an unprovoked attack while she waited at a bus stop in the city centre.

She died in hospital three days later and a man, Djeison Rafael, 21, has been charged over the attack. But the tragedy has left many saying their perception of safety in the city has changed.

Tire Olorire, who was walking through Birmingham with her friends days after Ms Fox's death, said it made her question whether she felt safe.

"It's scary," she said. "It could be me, it could be my friends - I'm not sure if I am able walk out by myself or if I have to bring someone with me every time."

Katie Fox died a few days after being stabbed in the neck at a Birmingham bus stop in an unprovoked attack

Ms Fox was attacked in Smallbrook Queensway, just outside the Bullring shopping centre and opposite the busy New Street railway station.

It happened at around 21:00 GMT on Friday, 7 November, when the city was buzzing with people enjoying after work drinks, late night shopping, arriving for weekend breaks or waiting at the many bus stops nearby.

Faith Johnson, shopping with a friend in Primark, said it had left her feeling pretty terrified and more wary of her surroundings.

She said she her perception was that attacks were becoming continuous.

On Friday, five people were arrested after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed near the Bullring.

"There are more police walking around but not as much as we need," Ms Johnson added.

Another woman, who did not want to be named, said since she heard of Ms Fox's attack she had taken to carrying a spray can with her, just in case. On social media, forums have been discussing the best ways of protecting yourself.

Chanel Jasmine is part of Show Up Sis, a group that helps women in the city connect.

"A bus stop makes it feel like it can be anybody at any point, so that leads women to feel even more anxious," she said.

"People are looking over their shoulders a lot more, being more aware of their surroundings, sharing live locations with friends and families."

Faith Johnson, she said she felt "terrified" walking through Birmingham

Anti violence campaigner Alison Cope visits schools to talk about the effects of knife creime.

Her son, Joshua Ribera, was stabbed in the heart near a nightclub in Birmingham in 2013 and she believes perception of crime in the city has been "allowed to go very down hill, very obviously."

"Every single school that I go to in Birmingham and across the West Midlands, children are terrified," she said.

"It's only going to get worse, because those that are there to reassure and make young people feel safer are there online saying we did a great job," she said.

West Midlands Police said crime rates in the city had fallen by 6% since last year, and the number of knife and sharp instrument offences had gone from 5,122 to 4,309.

Chanel Jasmine runs Show Up Sis, a group that helps women connect with others in the city.

Ron Winch, an associate professor in policing at Birmingham City University and a former senior police officer said a "fear of crime" could often "outweigh the realities of becoming a victim."

"In West Midlands, knife crime and serious violence is being reduced. Particularly around the issue around violence against women and girls.

"Sadly though, people still feel that feel of crime is still there. A lot of that can be fuelled by the media, we have 24/7 reporting, where incidents are reported a lot more graphically than they were, we also have social media."

The leader of Birmingham City Council, John Cotton, spoke to the BBC about people's fears in the aftermath of the attack.

"I think it's appalling that people find themselves in that situation and we've got to do more to support local communities and support women.

"I'm really pleased to see there has been a step up in police presence across the city centre, I think that's a real reassurance to people."

On Friday, West Midlands Police released a statement saying it understood that people would be worried after recent events.

"In response, we have increased our patrols in the city centre, as whether you're out and about enjoying Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas market, shopping, or working, we want the city centre to be a safe and welcoming place for you," the statement said.

"High-visibility patrols have been stepped up, and you should expect to see more officers out and about in key locations around the city centre."

Highly-visible specialist officers were also on-hand to speak to anyone with concerns and plain clothes officers, trained to spot anyone who might be planning a crime, were also out and about.

"Rest assured, our officers are on hand, and ready to respond 24 hours a day," the force said.