Call for Sheffield parks to be made more secure for women after thousands sign petition for better lighting

More than 4,500 people have signed a petition, started by University of Sheffield student Evie Hairsine, calling for better lighting in parks.

The Our Bodies Our Streets campaign was highlighted by Coun Martin Phipps at a council meeting.

He said: “Can the council list on its website which parks are lit up and show a detailed map of whereabouts in the park the lights are? It would also help to put this information at park entrances.

“Will the parks department consider installing a greater number of exits in fenced-off spaces? If a woman finds herself in the daunting situation of approaching a man or group of men in her path, more exits mean she has the option of taking an alternative route, should she not want to approach them nor be forced back the way she came. Parks with more exits feel much safer to walk in.

“And can the council create a space online where women can report areas where they do not feel safe and where more security and improvements would be beneficial?

“Currently, the accepted solution is for women to avoid those places altogether, but I hope you agree that this is an extremely unjust and outdated attitude.”

Coun Mary Lea, Cabinet member for parks, said the council was talking to a variety of people and groups about the best way to improve women’s safety.

“As well as lighting there are a number of other measures, such as opening up sight-lines into and within parks, usually through removing obstacles such as overgrown foliage especially in the proximity of main access paths and recreational facilities.

“We will ensure this information is provided on the website and will certainly look at where the information can be displayed in the local area.

“We will certainly consider reviewing lighting in parks. Women’s safety is a very important and complex issue that we need to give focus to.”