A free, town-wide membership of a walking safety app is set to be introduced in Frome as part of efforts to improve safety for residents walking at night.
The one-year membership of the WalkSafe app will allow users to plan routes using well-lit streets, report poor lighting or unsafe areas, and share their live location with trusted contacts.
The app will be available for free to all residents, and the scheme forms part of the town council’s three-year White Ribbon pledge to tackle violence against women and girls.
Presenting the proposal, Lucy McMahon, Lead Marketing and Communications Officer, said the scheme responds to concerns raised locally about safety at night.
“The biggest type of crime in Frome is violence and sexual offences,” she said. “Obviously not all of that is violence against women and girls, but it exemplifies that it is an inarguable problem.”
Up to 20 local businesses and venues can sign up to take part in the scheme. Participating venues will be shown on the app as safe spaces offering services such as phone charging, Ask for Angela trained staff, and LGBTQ+ friendly environments.
The scheme follows Tori Jordan from Still Sisters in Frome meeting the council last year to discuss women’s safety at night and how businesses can work together to improve safety.
Beth Euden from Still Sisters said, “As someone who has worked in the night-time economy for over ten years, staff safety, especially when closing up late at night, has always been a huge priority.’’
While welcoming the initiative, Cllr Lisa Merryweather raised concerns about people who may not be able to use the app due to limited access to technology or mobile data.
She said a significant proportion of violent and sexual offences in Frome involve children and young people, adding that some young people experience poverty and digital exclusion.
“I am asking if there is going to be anything additionally that we will be exploring for those who tend to be the victims of those crimes in Frome,” she said.
Lucy McMahon, who is on the council’s Violence Against Women and Girls Steering Group, said the app would be “one element in a broader project”, with further initiatives planned as part of the White Ribbon action plan.
Cllr Nick Dove also supported the proposal and said the council should consider its wider role in improving safety in public spaces, including street lighting and commonly used footpaths.
Frome Town Council has agreed to contribute up to £2,170 plus VAT towards the one-year WalkSafe membership to cover any shortfall from participating businesses, with Frome Chamber of Commerce also pledging £500.
After the first year, the scheme is expected to be funded solely by participating businesses. If the maximum of 20 venues sign up, the cost would be £130.20 per business. Further discussion will take place on how the costs will be shared, so smaller venues are not put off.
More information will be provided in February on how residents can join the app.
