A new online tool will allow people to anonymously flag public places where they feel unsafe – such as poorly lit walkways, or streets where they have experienced harassment.
The digital scheme called StreetSafe launched today where anyone can make a report, but women and girls are especially encouraged.
The Home Office confirmed it set up the tool with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to help police identify areas that need improving.
The collected data will be used as part of a three-month pilot alongside other information to help police forces make decisions on how to keep communities safe.
The online platform comes six months after the murder of Sarah Everard, 33, by Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens.
The shocking kidnap and killing drew attention to widespread violence against women and girls on a national scale.
Changes and improvements could range from installing CCTV and street lighting across a park or common, to introducing night-time patrols led by officers or members of the local community, such as Neighbourhood Watch groups.
But staff at End Violence Against Women already pointed out that such measures are likely to do ‘nothing to tackle the root causes’ of violence.
Do women feel unsafe in public spaces?
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), around 49% of women reported feeling unsafe walking alone after nightfall in a busy public place, such as a high street or railway station.
A similar proportion also feel unsafe walking alone on a quiet street near their home at night.
In comparison, one in five men said they felt unsafe when walking alone in a busy public area after dark.
Instead, they said it will likely result in disproportionate policing and surveillance of black and minoritised communities.
In a statement on Twitter, the women’s group said: ‘What we need is action to prevent male violence against all women and girls, not pilots that risk exacerbating existing inequalities.
‘We have consistently raised the alarm about this alongside other women’s organisations and set out key principles for the fund.’
Catcalls of London, a digital campaign that raises awareness of street harassment, also argued there is already existing technology such as Safe and the City, which has similar features.
It questioned why the UK Government is spending taxpayers money on another app.
StreetSafe is also not a replacement for 101, so crime and incidents should not be reported on it.
Instead, it is for people to log where they felt or feel unsafe, because of environmental issues like street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism, or because of some behaviours, like being followed or verbally abused.
Minister for Safeguarding Victoria Atkins said: ‘No one should fear walking the streets, but for too many women and girls, the threat of intimidation and harassment whilst going about their everyday lives is all too familiar.
‘Our Call for Evidence revealed the need for a space where people can share their experiences of feeling unsafe in public places – regardless of whether a crime has been committed.
‘StreetSafe allows the public to flag concerns directly to police, ensuring that those responsible for making our streets safer use the data to improve safety and understand how local areas can better respond.’
A number of police forces across the country have already shared information about the pilot scheme on their social media channels and urged people to take part via the national policing website.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.