Taxi rank concerns raised, refuge hotel one of the solutions proposed

Friday 26 March 2021

A group of peaceful protesters are hoping to use the momentum created by the Reclaim These Streets rally to bring about real change, with a number of potential initiatives.

From working with the Street Angels, to refuge hotels and alternative taxi ranks, a number of new ways to improve public safety have been raised by two of the organisers behind Tuesday night's vigil for Sarah Everard.

The Street Angels is a church-run initiative that offers assistance to intoxicated pub and club goers in St Peter Port.

“Maybe a separate group could work with them,” suggested Daisy Chapple, co-organiser of this week's vigil. “They could go round asking people if they need assistance getting home.”

Ms Chapple sees the taxi rank as an uncomfortable place for many women at the end of the night.

Pictured: “I won’t go anywhere near the taxi rank, but sometimes it’s the only option. It’s scary,” said Ms Chapple.

“If it was midnight and I was trying to help a drunk girl I wouldn’t be able to get her a taxi,” said Gwen Le Blond, co-organiser of the RTS rally.

“It would be great to link up with taxi companies, maybe all the taxis don’t have to go from the Weighbridge; maybe they could also go from the top of Smith Street of the Town Church.”

The RTS movement was sparked after the Sarah Everard tragedy. The 33-year-old went missing on her walk home in London and was found dead a week later. A Met Police Officer, Wayne Couzens, has been charged with her murder.

Pictured: Sarah Everard disappeared on 3 March while walking home – her body was found in Kent a week later.

The idea of a safe space is a common solution to the issues facing women trying to get home from a night out.

“There might be a hotel we could speak to,” said Ms Chapple. “If a woman is feeling unsafe, they could come wait in their lobby for a taxi.”

Ms Le Blond added: “At the Angel Hotel in Cardiff, it’s a safe place if you’re feeling threatened and they’ll call you a taxi. I think there should be safe spaces available."

Pictured: Ms Chapple was one of dozens of women who shared their stories at a peaceful protest this week.

Express discussed the momentum created by the movement as part of a wider discussion on women’s safety in our latest podcast. You can listen to the full interview with Daisy Chapple and Gwen Le Blond HERE.