We Asked, You Said, We Did

We asked residents of Arlen Hill to share their experiences of harassment and feeling unsafe in the town centre, including where and when incidents occurred. We also invited suggestions for where street lighting could be improved to help make streets safer for women and girls.

You told us that lack of street lighting was the most common concern, identified by nearly half of all respondents, closely followed by flashing/indecent exposure and verbal harassment. The vast majority of incidents occurred during the evening hours between 6pm and midnight, and most took place on streets rather than in other public spaces. Notably, fewer than a quarter of respondents had reported their incident to authorities. Every single respondent wanted to suggest areas for improved street lighting, and you highlighted numerous streets across the town centre using our mapping tool.

Based on your feedback, we have commissioned a street lighting review across the areas most frequently identified in your responses, with a priority programme of upgrades now underway in the town centre. We have also partnered with local police to establish a dedicated reporting pathway for harassment incidents, making it easier and less daunting for women and girls to come forward. Additionally, we are introducing a series of community safety walks with councillors and officers to continue identifying areas of concern and ensure improvements are making a real difference.