Buses to become safe spaces for vulnerable women

Norah Al-Ani said it was "worrying" how many women's and girls' lives were affected by violence and abuse

A scheme to create safe spaces for vulnerable women and girls on buses has been welcomed by campaigners.

Stagecoach East is backing Businesses Against Abuse, across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Bedfordshire, with the collaboration of police forces and rape crisis groups.

Vulnerable people can alert a bus driver, who will let them stay on the bus and drop them at a space place, or until help arrives.

Norah Al-Ani, director of Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, said it was a "brilliant first step in the right direction" to raise awareness and offer help.

Ross Barton said all drivers would be trained to help vulnerable people

Ross Barton, operations director for Stagecoach East, said: "I think we have a moral duty to help members of the public."

He said drivers would be trained to look out for predatory behaviour and could be flagged down to help.

"Stay on the bus as long as you feel comfortable, we will drop you at a safe part of the route, or stay on until someone can meet you or from the authorities or police," he added.

He said buses each had 12 CCTV cameras on them and acted as a "mobile hotspot".

Alexandra Meichan says that as a woman she can feel at risk when she is out and about

Alexandra Meichan, from Peterborough, said she was left "frightened" when she was followed by a man as she got on a bus, late at night, after finishing work.

She said she was only safe when she was collected from the bus by her husband.

Knowing she could now flag down a bus was "reassuring, as it's another option to be safe".

Maria uses a bus as she does not believe walking at night is safe

Bus user Maria said: "I take the bus because I'm young and I can't walk alone in my area, that's why I use it at any time.

"Walking isn't safe."

Ms Al-Ani said: "It's a brilliant first step in the right direction to try and tackle violence against women and girls - to recognise predatory and abusive behaviour, to call it out and to try and create safe spaces for customers, staff and the wider public."

Mr Barton added: "Our buses are very visible and are a good way to raise awareness and be a deterrent."

Stagecoach buses across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Bedfordshire have signage on them to call out abuse against women and girls