A survey has found that 73 per cent of women feel unsafe walking in Basildon, Essex, after dark, compared to 60 per cent who feel safe during the daytime. The findings, which were released this month, show that only 13 per cent of women reported feeling safe while out in the borough during the evening hours.
The research was gathered from people attending a safety conference on 6 March 2026 at the Towngate Theatre. According to Basildon Council, respondents highlighted poorly lit areas, anti-social behaviour, and isolated locations as the main reasons they feel at risk or choose to change their routes when walking at night.
To address these concerns, the council approved a £70,000 investment in February 2026 to help protect women and girls in the community. This funding includes £45,000 for the Make Space for Girls project and a £25,000 “Fight Back” fund to tackle local safety issues, following the council’s decision to restore all-night street lighting across the borough on 15 September 2025.
Councillor Emma Callaghan said the survey results show why it is important to keep working with Essex Police to improve lighting and make it easier for residents to report problems. Recent police figures show that violent and sexual offences in the area have remained high, with more than 7,000 incidents recorded over the 2024-2025 period.
Residents were invited to discuss these findings and share their views at an online meeting of the Women’s Safety Forum on 24 March 2026. The forum was originally set up in July 2025 to give local women a direct way to influence council policy and help make public spaces feel more welcoming for everyone.
