A new plan in London is giving women and girls a bigger say in how public spaces can be made safer. The idea comes as the city works to tackle violence against women and girls as well as growing concerns around misogyny and abuse. Under the plan from Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, community research teams will listen to women and girls and help examine parks and other public places. Their views could lead to changes such as better CCTV, improved lighting and safer paths.
Women and Girls Will Have a Bigger Voice
Women and girls often know which places make them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Their daily experiences can show problems that may not be obvious when a public space is simply viewed on a map.
The new fund aims to use those experiences when decisions are made about public areas. Community research teams will help audit parks and public spaces. The work could identify dark areas, blind spots and other parts of a location that need attention.
This approach gives women a direct opportunity to explain what they think needs to change.
Better Lighting Could Make Public Spaces Safer
Lighting is one of the changes that could come from the research. A poorly lit path can make a person feel vulnerable, particularly when they are travelling alone.
Better lighting could make it easier for people to see their surroundings. It could also remove some of the hidden areas where people may feel uncomfortable.
The important point is that the changes would come from looking at real experiences. Women and girls can explain where they feel unsafe and why. Local authorities can then consider those concerns when improving public spaces.
CCTV Could Play a Bigger Role
Improved CCTV is another possible suggestion under the plan. Cameras can provide greater visibility in public areas and may also help when an incident needs to be investigated.
The exact changes will depend on what community research teams and local authorities find. The fund is not simply about putting cameras everywhere.
The wider idea is to understand what each location needs. One park may need better lighting. Another area may have paths that create blind spots. A different place may need improved surveillance.
Paths Could Be Redesigned
The design of a public space can affect how safe people feel. Paths with hidden corners or blind spots can create concerns for people walking through them.
The new research could look at how paths are arranged and whether changes could make them more open and easier to see.
Small design changes can matter. A clearer route can give people better visibility and make a public space feel more welcoming throughout the day.
£15.6 Million Fund for London
Local authorities across London will be able to apply for a share of £15.6 million. The money forms part of a wider investment of more than £37 million aimed at tackling violence against women and girls.
Sadiq Khan described the new fund as a first for his office. His aim is to work directly with women and girls to help transform public spaces across the capital.
The Mayor has said that women and girls know their local areas best. Their views can therefore help local authorities understand where changes are needed.
Susan Hall Calls for More Police Funding
Not everyone believes the new funding goes far enough. Susan Hall, leader of the City Hall Conservative Group, has criticised the approach and said more police funding should be a priority.
Hall argued that preventing women from becoming victims should come first. She also questioned whether the £15.6 million fund could replace the need for more police resources.
Her criticism adds another side to the discussion. Making public spaces safer is one part of preventing crime. Police presence and resources are another part of the wider debate.
Tackling Misogyny Among Young Men
The wider plan also looks at the attitudes that can contribute to violence against women and girls. A previously announced £1 million package will support boys and young men across London.
The campaign aims to encourage positive attitudes and behaviours. Educational programmes will focus on respect and equality.
Khan has also raised concerns about online misogyny and the influence of so-called manosphere influencers on young men. The strategy therefore looks beyond what happens on the streets. It also considers how harmful attitudes can develop online.
Support for Women Facing Abuse
The wider investment also includes direct support for victims and survivors. Around £6 million will help thousands of victims access legal advice, counselling and other support services.
Another £6 million will address technology-enabled abuse. This can involve mobile phones, social media and other devices being used to target women and girls or increase controlling behaviour in domestic abuse situations.
A further £2.4 million will support people affected by child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs.
Making London Safer Through Real Experiences
The main idea behind the new public-space fund is simple. Women and girls should have a voice in decisions that affect their safety.
The scheme builds on a 2024 trial in which the Mayor’s office and Transport for London worked with women and girls across five boroughs. That work looked at safety concerns and how their experiences could influence the design of public spaces.
For you as a London resident, the value of this approach is that safety concerns can come directly from people who use these places every day.
Sadiq Khan has said he wants every woman and girl in London to be safer and to feel safer. The new strategy brings together safer public spaces, prevention, support for survivors and action against harmful misogynistic attitudes.
The success of the plan will depend on how well these ideas are put into practice. Listening to women and girls is an important first step. The bigger test will be whether their concerns lead to visible changes across London’s public spaces.
FAQs
1. What is London’s new crime reduction plan?
London’s new plan gives women and girls a bigger voice in decisions about making public spaces safer. Community research teams will listen to their experiences and examine parks and other public areas for problems such as dark areas, blind spots and unsafe paths.
2. How much funding is available for London’s public-space safety plan?
Local authorities across London can apply for a share of £15.6 million. The money forms part of a wider investment of more than £37 million aimed at tackling violence against women and girls.
3. How could the £15.6 million fund make London safer?
The funding could support improvements identified through community research, including better CCTV, improved lighting and safer paths. The exact changes will depend on what research teams and local authorities find in individual locations.
4. Why are women and girls being involved in the safety research?
Women and girls often know which places make them feel uncomfortable or unsafe through their everyday experiences. Their views can help identify problems that may not be obvious when public spaces are assessed only from maps or other conventional methods.
5. Could better lighting improve safety in London?
Better lighting is one of the potential improvements under the plan. Improved lighting can make it easier for people to see their surroundings and reduce hidden areas where people may feel uncomfortable.
6. Will the plan involve more CCTV cameras?
Improved CCTV is one possible recommendation. However, the article says the fund is not simply about putting cameras everywhere. The aim is to understand what each location needs and then consider appropriate improvements.
7. Could London’s public paths be redesigned?
Yes. Community research could examine whether paths contain hidden corners or blind spots and whether changes could make routes more open and easier to see.
8. What has Susan Hall said about the London safety plan?
Susan Hall, leader of the City Hall Conservative Group, has criticised the approach and argued that more police funding should be a priority. She also questioned whether the £15.6 million fund could replace the need for additional police resources.
9. What is London doing to tackle misogyny among young men?
A previously announced £1 million package will support boys and young men across London. Educational programmes will focus on respect and equality, while the wider strategy also considers online misogyny and the influence of so-called manosphere influencers.
10. What support is available for women facing abuse?
Around £6 million will help thousands of victims access legal advice, counselling and other support services. Another £6 million will address technology-enabled abuse, while a further £2.4 million will support people affected by child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs.
11. Has London previously tested this approach?
Yes. The article says the scheme builds on a 2024 trial in which the Mayor’s office and Transport for London worked with women and girls across five boroughs to examine safety concerns and how their experiences could influence public-space design.
12. What is the main goal of London’s new safety strategy?
The main goal is to make London safer by using the experiences of women and girls when decisions are made about public spaces. The wider strategy combines safer public spaces, prevention, support for survivors and action against harmful misogynistic attitudes.
