Safer Streets Liverpool: Campaign continues to make women and girls feel safe in our city

Safer Streets is a great campaign launched last year in Liverpool to help make people feel safe and secure in the city.

And it was so successful, it’s now being rolled out across the whole of Merseyside with a clear message that there is #NoExcuse for sexual violence – and it won’t be tolerated.

Emily Spurrell, Merseyside’s Police Commissioner, says:

“It’s unacceptable that many women and girls still don’t feel safe using public transport, or when they’re out and about in town, particularly at night.

“My message for women is we want you to walk around town feeling safe.

“There is no excuse for sexual violence.”

The campaign was launched following a survey in 2021 which asked women and girls across the region what could be done to make them feel safer, with many saying they felt uncomfortable travelling alone, especially at night.

Focusing on public transport the campaign shares the message that certain behaviour is not acceptable, like staring and leering, uninvited touching, or taking explicit photos of people without their consent.

It introduced a text messaging service so people could report offensive behaviour, and it could be targeted and stopped.

Now even more is being done, thanks to a successful bid by the PCC and Liverpool City Council for more than £576,000 from the Home Office.

It’s led to increased CCTV coverage on key bus routes in and out of the city centre at night, and more top-of-the-range cameras in key city areas, which are constantly monitored: “There’s lot of people always keeping an eye out, trying to make sure there’s nobody doing anything they shouldn’t,” says Emily.

They link to the police who can respond when needed.

There are:

* Travel centres at bus stations to create ‘safe spaces’ for anyone who feels vulnerable

* A greater uniformed police presence in transport hubs and along dedicated student bus routes, and into busy nightlife areas at the weekend and during event nights

Other steps include the creation of a special ‘guardian project’ with LJMU volunteers trained to offer support in popular nightlife areas to those who need it, whether that’s emotional support or just help getting home, and educational training for adults and children.

Says Emily: “Many are already aware of the campaign, and changes and improvements that have been made.

“We’re really investing in this and the feedback is that it offers a good level of reassurance and people are feeling safer, which is ultimately the aim.”