Research conducted by Mitie and WalkSafe, a prominent personal safety app, reveals significant concerns about walking in the dark, particularly among women. Nearly half of women (44%) and one in five men (21%) report feeling unsafe during everyday journeys, such as commuting. This research coincides with the announcement of a partnership between Mitie and WalkSafe aimed at fostering safer communities, particularly for those traveling alone.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council has described violence against women and girls (VAWG) as reaching “epidemic levels,” with a 37% increase in VAWG-related crimes over the past five years. The WalkSafe app, designed to help users identify safer routes, has seen an 81% surge in usage since October, reflecting growing public concerns about safety after dark.
Differences in Perceived Threats
The study highlights a notable gender divide in safety concerns. Over half of women (51%) cite fear of being followed as their top concern, with 34% expressing worry about sexual assault. In contrast, 17% of men fear being followed, and only 4% mention sexual assault as a concern. Men are more likely to fear crimes such as mugging (40%) or knife attacks (28%).
Adjusting to Darker Evenings
As days grow shorter, two-thirds (65%) of respondents maintain their usual routines, even if it means traveling in the dark. However, 69% report taking steps to improve their safety, such as altering their routes (34%), using public transport or taxis (28%), or driving short distances (24%). These adjustments come with an average additional cost of £100 per month. Women are twice as likely as men to skip social events to avoid walking in the dark, with 15% of women taking this precaution compared to 7% of men.
Calls for Action
A significant majority (71%) believe more should be done to improve street safety, with 65% urging the government and local authorities to enhance or better promote safety initiatives. Among those who regularly commute in the dark, 36% think employers should play a greater role in ensuring their safety. The introduction of the Workers’ Protection Act in October has further emphasized the need for organizations to address workplace harassment and foster safer environments.
A New Partnership for Safer Communities
Mitie and WalkSafe have partnered to enhance personal safety through innovative solutions. WalkSafe’s app integrates journey-sharing features with a Safe Space map, leveraging police data and user-generated input to help individuals plan safer routes and identify nearby safe havens.
As part of the partnership, Mitie will enhance the WalkSafe Pro app by offering support through its 24/7 specialist security control center. App users will have access to trained security operatives who can provide real-time advice, reassurance, and, if necessary, coordinate with emergency services. This collaboration aims to offer both individuals and organizations tools to improve personal safety and build safer communities.
Emma Kay, Founder of WalkSafe said, “I started WalkSafe to empower people to take precautionary measures to protect their own safety, something I feel strongly about after experiencing harassment in the street. With Mitie, we will take WalkSafe one step further with the support of their connected control centre.”
“With app users surging since the clocks changed, we want to do everything we can to ensure people can get home safely in the dark. Mitie is bringing its security intelligence services so together, we can add a layer of protection that has not been available before. With this new partnership, we hope to revolutionise the way that employers can take care of their colleagues, ultimately making them safer.”
Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services, Mitie, said, “Our friends, families and colleagues should all be able to travel safely, whether on transport networks or simply walking home, yet violence against women and girls and minority groups is increasingly prevalent across the UK.
“A fifth of the UK’s workforce expect their employer to help get them to and from work safely and we want to help organisations protect their people. In developing this support in partnership with WalkSafe, we want to help tackle this epidemic and enable safer communities where we can all live and work.”