Mayor launches £15.6m fund for women's safety in London

The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has introduced a new fund to improve the safety of public spaces for women and girls across the city. Local authorities are eligible to apply for a portion of the £15.6 million available from this initiative, which is part of a broader investment exceeding £37 million.

Community involvement and improvements

Community research teams will be established to gather views from women and girls on how to make public areas safer. Their input will help audit these spaces, with potential recommendations including enhancements to CCTV coverage and street lighting. This approach aims to transform public spaces by incorporating the perspectives of those most familiar with their local environments.

Sir Sadiq Khan stated his commitment to making "every woman and girl in London safer, and feel safer, in our city." He highlighted the new strategy's aim to accelerate efforts and adapt to evolving threats faced by women both online and in public. The fund is described as the Mayor's "first-ever new fund" for this purpose.

Broader investment in safety and support

The total £37 million investment encompasses several areas. Approximately £6 million will be directed towards addressing the rise in technology-enabled abuse, including issues related to mobile phones and social media. A further £6 million is allocated to provide legal advice and counselling for thousands of victims and survivors of violence against women and girls (Vawg).

Additionally, £2.4 million will support individuals affected by child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs. The wider funding also includes a previously announced £1 million package focused on educational programmes for boys and young men, aiming to promote positive attitudes and behaviours and counter misogynistic influences.

Building on previous trials

This new initiative builds upon a trial conducted in 2024. During this trial, the Mayor's office collaborated with Transport for London (TfL) and women and girls across five boroughs. The aim was to gain a deeper understanding of their safety concerns and how their experiences could inform better urban design.

London's Victims' Commissioner, Andrea Simon, welcomed the strategy, noting its holistic approach to tackling violence against women and girls. She emphasised the importance of specialist support for victims' recovery and the focus on preventing harmful attitudes and responding to technology-facilitated abuse. Nahar Choudhury, chief executive of Solace Women's Aid, also expressed support, highlighting the investment in challenging misogynistic attitudes and engaging young men.

What happens next

Local authorities across London will be able to apply for a share of the £15.6 million fund. Further details on the application process and specific criteria are expected to be released by the Mayor's office.