THE police are piloting a new initiative in Basingstoke to help tackle violence against women and girls.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has launched Safe Space Walks which will see members of the community joining police officers on patrol to share their concerns about safety, as part of the force’s commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.

The idea is that people from across Basingstoke walk through areas that may ordinarily feel unsafe with local neighbourhood policing officers, who all have a broad knowledge of the area, to discuss what can be done to alleviate their concerns, as well as share suggestions about how police can make them feel safer.

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Police want to learn about any reoccurring themes, areas of concern or safeguarding issues and what they can do, alongside partners, to improve safety for women and girls in the wider Basingstoke area.

Hampshire Constabulary said that the information provided during these conversations will be “vital in helping us achieve this”.

Officers are fully briefed beforehand and urged to be open and discuss their own experiences.

The first walk took place on Thursday, February 23 with students from Basingstoke College of Technology.

In the next couple of weeks students from Queen Mary’s College will be joining officers on a second walk.

Chief Inspector Scott Johnson; district commander for Basingstoke, said “No one – whether that be a woman, a man or a child – should ever have to walk around their local community in fear of being assaulted, harassed or be a victim of crime. They should feel comfortable, safe and protected within their communities. To feel anything less is not acceptable.

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“As part of our ongoing commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, we are looking at ways we can improve safety in the Basingstoke area - for everyone. We want communities to regularly see and get to know their local officers, so that they have trust and confidence in them, and know they are there to protect them and keep them safe.

“That is why we have launched our Safe Space Walks. The local initiative gives everyone the opportunity to meet and talk to officers in a safe environment, and tell us what makes them feel unsafe and what could be done to make them feel safer.

“The information provided by those who join us on these walks will be a key factor in shaping our plans, together with partners, to make Basingstoke a safer place for all.”

In April Hampshire Constabulary will be running three community walks for residents of Basingstoke and Deane to join.

These will take place at different times of the day and evening on Thursday, April 20, Monday, April 24 and Wednesday, April 26.

If you would like to book a place on any of these walks please visit: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Policing Events: Eventbrite You will then be sent an email confirming the date and time to meet.

At the meeting point you will receive a short briefing from a uniformed officer before setting off on your walk, there will be hot drinks and a chance to chat further with officers at the end of the event.