Female runners forced to change habits, stats show

Brighton is an amazing city to run in but women are still forced to change their habits when it gets dark, a run club vice-chair says.

New figures from Sport England show 47% of women in Brighton, and 51% in the wider South East, feel unsafe while exercising outdoors alone after dark.

The statistics come as part of a campaign calling for more support to help women feel safe while exercising in the evening and end a "hidden curfew" when the light fades.

Emma White, of Brighton and Hove Women's Running Club, said: "There's a paradox where we have more runners in Brighton than other cities, but women are still changing their habits in the winter because they are worried about exercising outside."

She added: "Brighton is still a safe city, and an amazing city to be a runner, but the feeling that you can't go out in the dark is very real and present."

The Sport England's This Girl Can campaign surveyed 1000 women nationally.

About half of women in Brighton said they feared being followed after dark, while 62% were concerned about sexual harassment or intimidation.

Kate Dale, director of This Girl Can, told BBC Radio Sussex that the concerns about sexual harassment have also grown since the campaign first launched three years ago.

Police forces across the South East are continuing to try and tackle harassment against female runners, including Kent Police's monthly running group in Ashford, and Surrey Police's Jog On running campaign.

Sam Parrott, Brighton and Hove City Council's lead on violence against women and girls, added: "Fear can often be the biggest barrier. It's not something any woman should have to feel.

"This isn't just a women problem as well. It's really important we think about this as a whole."

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