Half of women surveyed say they do not feel safe travelling in the city after dark
49% of females feel safe walking in the city centre after dark compared to 64.9% of males
Cardiff Council’s Cabinet will discuss ways to make the city safer and more welcoming for residents and visitors this Thursday.
A new Public Service Board (PSB) strategy that aims to improve transport options, prevent crime and disorder, while improving the city’s night-time economy will be debated this week. It is hoped the new strategy will help Cardiff obtain a Purple Flag.
This comes after a recent resident survey revealed that less than half of females and those who identify as disabled feel safe at night. Two thirds of men surveyed said they felt safe.
96.3% of people feel safe when walking in the city centre in daylight
This confused Harry Jade (24). Harry said, “I feel that you are a lot more likely to get started on if you are a guy! Groups of lads are always looking for a scrap, especially when alcohol is involved.”
“It’s all down to alcohol really,” Harry continued. “Cardiff is a social city. There is a club night held every day of the week. Of course there is going to be fights and noise and chaos.”
Alex Rake (21) is not surprised woman don’t feel safe. “It is scary, even when you’re in a group. I don’t finish work until 11, then I have to walk through the city centre. Men always shout at me, some are twice my age! We’re all guilty of being loud when we’re drunk, but don’t aim it at individuals walking alone,” Alex said.
A 5pm winter walk can feel like a 9pm summer walk
Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet member for Community and Housing, is committed to tackling these issues. She said that a key part of Cardiff’s attraction is its night-time economy, shown by the £400m it turns over.
“The night-time economy has improved significantly over recent years but Cardiff cannot be seen purely as a party city,” says Lynda. “We have to aspire to more than this by offering a varied night-time economy which caters for a broad range of ages, offering a mix as good as other major European capitals. This is what this strategy is all about.”