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2024 Women's safety survey update

We are committed to ensuring women and girls feel safe in Camden. We regularly conduct surveys to obtain feedback on women and girls experiences and concerns around safety, so that we can continue to make improvements to help keep women and girls safe in Camden.

In our last Women’s Safety Survey in 2024, women and girls shared that they don’t feel safe at night, 64% of respondents had experienced harassment or abuse, including catcalling, intrusive staring and unwanted comments. A large proportion of incidents were not reported due to uncertainty about reporting routes, or low confidence in outcomes. Eight out of 10 respondents said they avoided going out at night or stuck to well‑lit routes and avoided certain areas.
Support was strong for improved lighting, more CCTV, safer late‑night spaces and measures to address street‑based harassment, including bystander training.

What we have done since the survey

All the feedback we received has been valuable in helping us inform our Women’s Safety initiatives and over the last year we have delivered the following: 

Improvements to night-time safety

  • In 2024 the Camden MET Town Centre Team delivered 4234 hours of high-visibility patrols. This has risen by 18% with 4996 hours of high visibility patrols within the night time economy in 2025.
  • The Camden Safety Bus, which provides support, advice and a safe space for anyone who needs it whilst on a night out, has become more visible following its move closer to the underground station and the pedestrianisation of part of Camden Town. More people are now accessing support: 291 individuals were supported in 2024, compared with 366 in 2025.

Targeted work in hotspot areas for harassment, drug use or anti-social behaviour

  • In 2025, overall patrol activity has doubled across the borough, with Community Safety Enforcement Officers (CSEOs) conducting over 15,000 patrols, compared with just under 8,000 in 2024. This largely due to an increased resource in the team but additional responsibilities including park locking and visible presence within the pedestrianisation.
  • Since the pedestrianisation of part of Camden High Street in May 2025, increased foot traffic has been met with dedicated patrols from 6am to 8pm. These patrols help to reduce anti-social behaviour, manage street activity through engagement and education, enforce against illegal trading, and provide crime prevention advice, particularly around theft and phone snatches.

Enhanced reporting information and public awareness campaigns

  • In July 2024, we launched In Camden we call it out across the borough. It is an ongoing campaign which raises awareness of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour and encourages everyone to safely challenge and intervene when they witness these types of behaviours.
  • In June 2025, we launched an anti-social behaviour campaign across Camden to highlight the Council’s commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour which we know can have a detrimental impact on the lives of residents. The campaign also raises awareness on how to report issues and encourages people to report issues. As a result of raising awareness, reports in 2025 have risen by almost 50% compared to the first five months of the year.

Training and support

  • In partnership with the Safer Business Network, we have delivered Welfare and Vulnerability Training (WAVE) to businesses in Camden. 239 venues have been trained, with over 500 attendees participating in the training, giving staff in venues the skills, confidence and knowledge to spot the signs when someone is at risk and respond effectively – helping to keep people safe.
  • We are now promoting by-standing training, both online and in-person, which equips people with the skills and confidence to identify harmful and inappropriate behaviour and intervene safely. 
  • Camden now has fifteen Safe Havens, located in businesses across seven wards: Holborn, Camden Town, King’s Cross, Regent’s Park, West Hampstead, Belsize and Camden Square. Safe Havens provide safe spaces where women can seek support when feeling vulnerable or on their onward journey. 

Environmental improvements

  • We regularly run Women’s Safety Walkabouts in Camden, they are an opportunity for us to listen to residents’ concerns about women’s safety in their area and jointly develop solutions to make improvements. There have been a range of recommendations and changes implemented from more lighting, increased patrols to including clearer signage for exits in parks and cutting back shrubs to help improve safety. 
  • In 2025 there were 5 women safety walkabouts focused in:
    -  Mornington Crescent
    - Kilburn
    - Bloomsbury
    - Kentish Town South & Haverstock (young people focus)
    - Holborn & Covent Garden (Hatton Garden)