THE government have recently rolled out a three-month trial on Street Safe, a new tool that allows members of the public anonymously pinpoint on a map locations where they don't feel safe.
This can be because of behaviours like being followed, being verbally abused or physically abused. It can also be due to environmental issues such as street lighting, abandoned buildings and vandalism.
Marisa Charles, senior corporate communications officer said: "The Street Safe scheme has been developed by the Home Office and forms part of their strategy to tackle violence against women and girls. It’s a pilot scheme and will run for three months and all UK police forces are promoting it.
"There are also several different behavioural options listed on the tool, including verbal harassment by an individual or a group and feeling like you are being followed.
"We are encouraging everyone, especially women and girls to use the tool to help inform us on the broader picture of where issues, such as verbal harassment, take place in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
"The reports will help us identify repeat locations or issues that need improving and working with our partners, we will explore solutions to make our streets safer.
StreetSafe is not a means for crime reporting to the police. This has been confirmed by the National Crime Registrar for the purposes of the pilot and users will be directed to the right channels and guidance, including online crime reporting services, 101 and 999, should they need to report an incident."
It comes as residents of Winchester struggle to feel safe in 'some parts' of the city.
16-year-old college student Hazel Wheeler Said: "It's mainly on the outskirts where the houses are or busy roads where builders are. Sometimes they shout at you or cat call."
Speaking on how these issues can be prevented, 17-year-old college student Isabel Whitt added: "I don't think there's a lot you can do apart from changing the attitude towards misogyny."
Speaking on the importance of Street Safe, councillor Iris Andersen said: "I think it's an essential tool for women to have on their phone.
"It's a tool to make people feel safe. Especially with the sun going down earlier now. There's something there to be used, so use it. It's there for the safety of women and men. It's for everybody."
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