Across the UK, many women and girls report feeling unsafe in public spaces. This is a reality that can shape daily routines, influence travel choices, and affect confidence and feelings of personal freedom.
A recent BBC article explored the issue through the lens of urban design, drawing on insights from Dr May Newisar, a lecturer in Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Leeds. Her research highlights what many women already understand instinctively: that the built environment has a powerful influence on how safe, or unsafe, a place feels.
Seemingly small design decisions, such as the number of windows overlooking a street, the positioning of benches, the level of lighting, or the presence of alleyways, can all have a significant impact.
Dr Newisar highlights the mental load carried by women navigating public spaces, who often feel they must remain constantly vigilant. Many take longer routes home, share their location with friends or family, or carry keys as a precaution. Behaviours that have just become a way of life.
Historically, urban planning has been dominated by male perspectives, meaning the different ways women experience risk have often been overlooked. Dr Newisar argues that to tackle this issue, women must be more involved in shaping the cities where they live.
Promoting Public Safety
As a company that is focused on preserving and promoting public safety, this is a topic that we are naturally very interested in. While long‑term change in urban planning is essential, it is something that will take considerable time and will be constrained by historic city layouts, among other challenges. That’s why considering immediate, practical measures that can be implemented, is going to be equally important.
At Venture Security, we are actively involved in delivering frontline initiatives designed to enhance safety and provide reassurance in public spaces. Here, we’ve taken a closer look at some of the steps being taken at a national and local level, and the role that organisations like our own can play in making a meaningful difference.
Violence against women and girls is now a ‘national emergency’?
National policy sets the tone for how seriously society treats women’s safety.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing have described violence against women and girls (VAWG) as a “national emergency”. According to the NPCC, VAWG accounts for just under 20% of all recorded crime in England and Wales.
In December 2025, the UK Government released its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, setting out a long‑term mission to halve VAWG within a decade. The strategy emphasises safer public spaces, improved reporting tools, and stronger local responses. Crucially, it recognises that safety is not just a policing issue but one of design, community, and wellbeing.
The updated VAWG Policing Framework now classifies VAWG as a national threat, placing it on the same priority level as terrorism and organised crime. This requires every police force to focus on hotspot areas, raise investigative standards, and work more closely with local partners.
Safer Streets
In recent years, the government has introduced several targeted programmes designed to generate real world improvements. This includes the Safer Streets Fund.
The fund aims to tackle VAWG, anti‑social behaviour, and neighbourhood crime. It supports the ambition to halve knife crime and halve VAWG within a decade. Investment has been directed into measures such as improved street lighting, additional video surveillance, and educational activities aimed at changing attitudes and behaviours.
Night Wardens
Venture Security plays a direct role in delivering Safer Streets initiatives on the ground.
For example, our specially trained Night Wardens provided a reassuring presence in Trowbridge and Salisbury city centre as part of a Safer Streets initiative funded by Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner. They patrolled every Friday and Saturday night between 8pm and 4am, helping to tackle violence against women and girls, reduce antisocial behaviour, and make the streets safer for all.
They worked closely with local authorities, police, and venue operators to:
- Assist people who may be vulnerable
- Monitor high‑risk areas
- Provide reassurance to those travelling home
- Respond quickly to emerging issues
Town & City Centre Security Officers
Safety isn’t just a night‑time issue, and our daytime teams play an equally important role.
Our Town & City Centre Security Officers (TCSOs/ CCSOs), also known as Rangers or Wardens, operate across the region, providing a visible and approachable presence during the day. Funded by local authorities and Business Improvement Districts, they support businesses, assist vulnerable individuals, and act as extra eyes and ears on the ground. Their presence alone deters antisocial behaviour and helps people feel safer.
Technology and training
Alongside having a physical security presence, technology and education are also additional tools that can help strengthen safety quickly, and at scale.
Our Managing Director, Paul Howe, explains: “While increasing lighting and adding similar measures can support safer streets, in isolation they are unlikely to be enough. It’s going to take a layered approach, and we must strive to do better. Technology and situational awareness or personal safety training are two areas where I feel we could find some quick wins.”
Smart technology
Technology is already transforming how public spaces are monitored, managed, and made safer. When used responsibly and alongside human presence, it can provide faster insights, earlier warnings, and more targeted interventions.
- Video surveillance – Modern systems offer high‑definition footage, improved placement, and better lighting integration, reducing blind spots and enabling quicker detection of incidents.
- AI‑assisted monitoring – Artificial intelligence can flag unusual patterns, such as loitering or following behaviour, helping operators respond more quickly and accurately.
- Personal safety apps – Apps like WalkSafe offer features such as crime‑aware route planning, location sharing, and quick‑access alerts, supporting safer journeys.
- Live reporting tools – Platforms such as StreetSafe, allow people to report areas where they feel unsafe give police and councils real‑time insight into community concerns, helping prioritise patrols and environmental improvements.
These technologies don’t replace human presence, but they can significantly enhance it.
Situational awareness and personal safety training
Training helps people feel more confident and prepared, without placing responsibility on women to ‘fix’ the problem. It focuses on practical skills such as:
- Recognising early warning signs
Spotting behavioural cues or environmental red flags.
- Navigating environments more safely
Choosing well‑lit routes, staying aware of exits, or positioning yourself near staff or other people.
- Knowing how to seek help effectively
Understanding when and how to approach security teams, use safety apps, or contact emergency services.
- Understanding surroundings
Identifying safe places to wait, knowing where CCTV is located, and recognising areas with good visibility.
A whole‑system approach
At Venture Security, we believe that improving safety in public spaces for women and girls requires a layered approach, including:
- Better designed public spaces
- Smarter use of technology
- Skilled, visible security professionals
- Community engagement
- Personal safety education
By combining these layers, we can create environments where women and girls not only are safer but feel safer too. We are committed to supporting safer streets, safer venues, and safer communities in any way we can.
About Venture Security
Headquartered in Andover, Venture is an independent, family-run security company. We specialise in security services for corporate and residential clients across central southern England, including Salisbury, Southampton, Basingstoke, Winchester, Fareham, Eastleigh and Portsmouth.
Our most popular services include: key holding and alarm response, mobile security patrols, locks and unlocks, and static guarding.
To find out more, call us or email office@venturesec.co.uk
