I joined police for walk to tackle violence against women and girls in Basingstoke

On the wonderfully warm day of March 19, I joined 30 BCoT students, staff and police officers on a walk aimed at starting conversations and sharing advice about the safety of women. Three different walks had been set up, for BCoT students, Queen Mary's College (QMC) students and the public, all leading to a space in Festival Place where they could talk to police, pick up free safety gadgets and tips, and learn self-defence. As someone who has walked home many times with my key clutched in my hand, while phoning a friend or by choosing a longer but more public route, I was intrigued by what I could learn. Uniformed and plain-clothed police officers, community safety patrol officers and representatives from Stop Domestic Abuse joined us on the walk, giving students the chance to talk to police in informal settings. Police officers with BCOT and QMC staff (Image: Newsquest) Fi Freeman, independent support from BCoT, said: "It's vitally important, as women, we can often be in a place of vulnerability when we are out alone or in a small group. "It's important to know where they can go and who they can reach out to in that situation." Beginning at BCoT, the 15-minute route took us into town via the Flaxfield Road underpass, an area that even staff members said made them feel uneasy when walking alone. Upon arrival at the unit next to the library, we ventured inside to see tables with attack alarms, small bells to draw attention, RFID protectors, leaflets and advice. Tamara Smith, from BCoT, also told me about the Strut Safe Hotline and Hollie Guard, two apps that women can use when walking home alone. Dan Bills, neighbourhood officer, said: "We are trying to do this more. Our presence is to reassure and engage. "We are doing more to identify perpetrators and make sure it feels safe for girls, to feel that they can go out in the town centre and feel safe." He also explained that Hampshire Constabulary has increased its police presence in the town centre during the evenings to ward against violence during nights out. In 2024, the police declared violence against women and girls a national emergency. According to the National Police Chief's Council, violence against women and girls makes up just under 20 per cent of all recorded crime in England and Wales, with at least one in every 12 women becoming a victim per year. Sessions like this are important with a dual emphasis on the police doing more to keep us safe, and things we can do ourselves to help us feel safer. In some ways, it is both frustrating and reassuring that we can be doing more - frustrating that we have to, but reassuring that we can. For help and hotlines, see here: www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/find-help