'It no longer feels safe to run next to the canal'

Phoebe Lake leads a Nottingham running group that now avoids the canals altogether

"I don't run alone down the canal because if you start being followed, how do you escape?"

Phoebe Lake lives in Nottingham, and leads the female-only running club These Girls Run, which meets twice a week at locations across the city centre.

However she says she has now started avoiding certain routes near the city's canals "to keep members safe" after two alarming incidents against women in recent months.

The 21-year-old is now calling on the authorities to do more to make canal paths safer.

'Poorly lit'

On both occasions women were targeted near the Nottingham and Beeston Canal in the city centre.

Just over a week ago, a man was charged with raping and sexually assaulting a 19-year-old girl on Canal Street in an alleyway near the canal.

And in January , a woman in her 40s was assaulted and robbed in broad daylight while walking along the canal towpath behind Nottingham Crown Court.

Miss Lake said the incidents had made her think twice about running in the area.

"The canal used to be one of our regular running spots, especially in the summer," she said.

"But after what has happened recently, I've told the girls to stay away from the area for their own safety.

"There's no clear escape if you are being followed, and the canals are often isolated and poorly lit, making it hard to get help.

"It's a shame. Our canals are beautiful and we want to enjoy them."

The running group used to meet next to the canal every week

Miss Lake's group was among several women's organisations to get involved with Nottinghamshire Police's Walk In My Shoes campaign, which aimed to identify areas of the city women felt unsafe in.

The campaign concluded on 22 June, but Miss Lake said she still planned to raise her concerns with the force.

"Even when there's a big group of us, it can be intimidating running down there as you see people abusing drugs and alcohol," she said.

"To make us feel safe again, we need to see police patrols closer to the canals."

Nottinghamshire Police said it was examining the findings of the campaign and the force would continue to tackle violence against women and girls.

In relation to the recent rape and sexual assault, it said "specialist officers" were helping the victim, and it urged people walking along the canal at that time to get in touch.

Anastasia Anthony said she avoids the canals for safety reasons

The BBC spoke to multiple women in the city who shared Miss Lake's concerns about safety near the canal.

Anastasia Anthony, 22, works in the city centre and said: "Even before hearing about the incidents near the canals, I would never walk down there.

"In the winter, they get really dark and its worrying not being able to see what might be around the corner.

"We need to see more lighting, more cameras and more action being taken to stop people loitering and doing drugs there."

Corina Biayana, 35, has lived in the city centre for the past eight years.

"I think people believe that all the crime happens in busy areas in the centre, but actually, quiet areas can be just as dangerous," she said.

"These spaces shouldn't be overlooked - I'd feel safer if there were cameras."

Women in Nottingham told the BBC they want to see better lighting surrounding the canals

A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: "Everyone should feel safe in our city, and women's safety remains a key priority for the council and our partners.

"Across Nottingham, there are over 300 public space cameras operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our CCTV network is reviewed annually using crime data and usage statistics to ensure the system remains fit for purpose."

The Canal and Rivers Trust said: "Any incident of violence on, or away from, the canal is distressing and our thoughts with the victims.

"Our charity will support the police in any way we can with their investigation."