What assessment has the Minister made of some local authorities' plans, including Newport City Council, to switch street lights off at night, especially in light of the Welsh Government's priority to keep women safe in the day and safe at night?
Everyone has the right to enjoy safe public spaces. Planning Policy Wales recognises the importance of providing appropriate lighting to enhance safety and security to help in the prevention of crime and to allow recreational activities to take place at night. However, there is also the need to balance this against other considerations such as the need to protect the natural and historic environment, retaining dark skies (where appropriate), protecting local amenities, and reducing carbon emissions. Lighting to provide security is important, especially in rural areas, and where necessary planning authorities should adopt policies for lighting in their development plans.
In July last year, the UK Government’s Safer Streets fund awarded over £4.1 million to the four Welsh police forces, with a focus on preventing violence against women and girls in public spaces. This included priorities to reduce these crimes and increase women and girls’ feelings of safety in these spaces, as well as building an evidence base for prevention. Gwent police have used this funding to carry out security improvements, including additional CCTV cameras and covert tactics, and to change attitudes towards inappropriate behaviour and actions.
The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government commits to strengthening the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) Strategy to include a focus on violence against women in the street and workplace as well as the home. The new five-year VAWDASV National Strategy, will be delivered through a collaborative ‘blueprint approach’ alongside key partners including the police and specialist sector. This includes a specific workstream of Street Harassment and Safety in Public Places.
While it is right that, as part of our response, we look at options available to enhance women’s safety in public places, often these initiatives or schemes can place the burden on women to protect themselves or alter their behaviour. It is therefore vital that we also address the root causes of male violence against women, focusing on changing negative attitudes and cultures that allow violence and abuse to persist. Prevention and early intervention need to take centre stage, rather than solely focussing our attention on remedial measures. Wales will not be a bystander to abuse.