Walking down familiar streets or going out for a simple grocery run has become a source of anxiety for many women in the UK.
New polling from Reform UK reveals a stark reality: more than half of women are now worried about their personal safety in their local areas.
The survey found that 60 per cent of women fear for their safety when out shopping or taking a walk, while 51 per cent worry about harassment or sexual assault.
These concerns have prompted Reform leader Nigel Farage to call it the “next big issue in British politics,” arguing that both Labour and the Conservatives have neglected women’s safety while focusing on the interests of illegal migrants.
Reform UK Launches a Safety Campaign
In response to these findings, Reform UK has launched a new initiative aimed at tackling violence and sexual assaults against women and girls.
The party’s only female MP pointed to migrants with “medieval views” as a contributing factor to the decline in public safety.
Meanwhile, Labour figures are also acknowledging the problem.
One minister admitted there aren’t enough police officers on the streets to provide adequate protection, while Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch highlighted the fear many women now feel about going jogging, citing men “lurking in bushes” as a particular concern.
Polling Reveals Deep Gender Divide
Exclusive polling shared with the Daily Mail found that 60 per cent of women are concerned about public safety, with a quarter describing themselves as “very concerned.”
Among men, 38 per cent report concern, and 12 per cent are very worried.
The risk of sexual assault or harassment is a particular worry for younger women: 63 per cent of those aged 25-34 expressed concern.
Damian Lyons Lowe, CEO of pollster Survation, said the results illustrate a “stark gender divide in perceptions of safety” and reflect broader public support for tougher sentencing for serious crimes.
Public Back Tougher Sentences for Crimes
The survey, conducted among 2,131 UK adults, shows strong public backing for minimum sentences of 10 years or more, and even life imprisonment, for violent, sexual, or other serious crimes.
A large majority support life sentences without parole for murder or terrorism.
For repeat offenders of minor crimes such as shoplifting, the preferred punishment is longer prison sentences of a year or more, with 42 per cent supporting this approach over electronic tagging.
Trust in Political Parties on Crime
When asked which party is best placed to tackle crime, Reform leads Labour by nine points, with 35 per cent of respondents backing the party.
Still, 27 per cent of voters chose neither, signaling widespread scepticism about the current political landscape.
Former home secretary Baroness Jacqui Smith echoed concerns about safety, admitting that there aren’t enough police officers on the streets.
She blamed previous cuts to neighbourhood policing for the lack of confidence among communities.
Ongoing Debate Over Solutions
Despite agreeing on the seriousness of the issue, Baroness Smith criticised Reform UK for focusing on problems without fully supporting solutions.
Kemi Badenoch also highlighted personal accounts from local residents in Epping, describing mothers’ fears for their daughters’ safety and the reluctance of women to exercise outdoors due to potential threats.
Badenoch concluded that communities shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden of these safety concerns, emphasising the real-world impact of public anxiety on everyday life.