London Women Fear 'Hidden Curfew' as Dark Nights Increase Safety Concerns

Earlier sunsets are forcing many women in London to alter or abandon their outdoor exercise routines, according to the This Girl Can campaign. The campaign's research indicates that 54 per cent of women in the capital feel unsafe exercising alone after dark, a situation exacerbated by the clocks going back and creating what is described as a 'hidden curfew'.

Beyond general feelings of unsafety, 69 per cent of women expressed concerns regarding sexual harassment or intimidation while exercising outdoors. In contrast, only 30 per cent of men in London reported similar feelings of unsafety when exercising alone after dark. For 61 per cent of women, these personal safety worries are a more significant obstacle to outdoor activity than factors such as poor weather, lack of time, or low motivation.

Experiences of London Runners

Jenny Mannion, founder of the women's running club Runners and Stunners, shared that many women in her group experience harassment during runs. Her club plans to introduce mid-week runs in January to accommodate members who need to train in darkness. Mannion herself avoids running in the dark due to safety concerns, even though she is self-employed and has flexibility in her schedule. She recounted a recent incident where a woman was attacked while running in broad daylight, stating, 'The problem is men, at all times, every day'.

Ana Hancock, a running coach with the community organisation GoodGym in Wandsworth and Hounslow, highlighted the additional planning required for women. She stated that when the clocks change, she automatically adjusts her routes and considers factors men often do not, such as letting someone know her location and ensuring her phone is fully charged. Hancock finds it frustrating that exercise, which should offer freedom, comes with a 'mental checklist and potentially some vulnerability'.

Campaigns and Wider Concerns

The 'Let's Lift the Curfew' initiative, supported by This Girl Can, aims to raise awareness that these experiences are not isolated. Kate Dale, This Girl Can's director of marketing, noted that women's fears are escalating, with increased concern about harassment and intimidation compared to previous years. She suggested that rising online misogyny may be contributing to these growing safety worries. Police warnings about violence against women and girls reaching epidemic levels underscore the urgency of addressing these concerns.

Nationally, research by This Girl Can shows that one in three women who adjust their exercise habits due to less daylight choose to exercise earlier. Almost a quarter avoid exercising alone, and 11 per cent stop exercising outdoors entirely after dark. Runners and Stunners offers free membership and typically holds runs in Central and South West London on Saturdays.