Nearly HALF of women feel unsafe walking on Britain’s streets in the winter as a third CHANGE their route home

Nearly half of women in the UK feel unsafe on streets during winter months, with a third of them changing their route home as a result.

Forty four per cent have reported feeling uneasy and threatened during everyday journeys like commuting to work.

The alarming statistics, revealed in new research by Mitie, Britain’s largest security firm, show a stark contrast between genders, with only a fifth of men reporting similar safety concerns.

The study found people are spending an average of £100 extra per month on alternative transport to avoid walking in darker hours.

More than 70 per cent of respondents believe more action is needed to improve street safety.

Women are taking significant measures to protect themselves during darker months, with 34 per cent changing their walking routes.

More than a quarter opt for taxis or public transport, whilst 24 per cent drive short distances to avoid walking.

The impact extends to social lives, with 15 per cent of women choosing to miss social events to avoid walking in the dark – more than double the rate of their male counterparts at seven per cent.

One in five respondents believe employers should take greater responsibility for workers’ safety outside of work hours.

This figure rises to over a third for those who commute during darkness.

In response to these safety concerns, personal safety app WalkSafe has partnered with security provider Mitie to develop enhanced protection features for workers’ commutes.

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The collaboration aims to revolutionise how employers can protect their staff during their journeys to and from work.

The enhanced version of WalkSafe Pro will allow worried employees to connect directly with trained round-the-clock responders at the touch of a button.

These responders can provide expert advice, direct users to safe spaces, and alert emergency services when needed.

Jason Towse, Managing Director at 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.”

The initiative comes as organisations seek additional ways to prevent harassment following the introduction of the Workers Protection Act in October.

The research reveals stark differences in safety concerns between genders, with 51 per cent of women citing being followed by a stranger as their top fear.

More than a third of women worry about the threat of sexual assault.

In contrast, only 17 per cent of men fear being followed by a stranger.

Just four per cent of men list sexual assault as a concern.

The National Police Chiefs Council has reported a 37 per cent increase in violence against women and girls over the past five years.

Two-thirds of survey respondents believe the government and local authorities should do more to protect people on streets.

The WalkSafe app, founded in 2020, has grown to reach more than one million users across 35 cities and towns worldwide.

Downloads of the app surged dramatically from 2,000 to 300,000 in the week following Sarah Everard’s murder in Clapham, south London, in March 2021.

The app features clear icons for different safe space types and includes practical tools such as journey plotting and crime zone information.