The safety of women and girls across Bath and North East Somerset has been recognised as a top priority for the Council.

A special motion was tabled at last week’s Council meeting calling on the authority to act to improve the safety of women and girls right across B&NES.

The motion, proposed by Liberal Democrat Councillor, Dine Romero, and seconded by Labour Councillor, Liz Hardman, was written with full cross-party support, with the Council’s Conservative, Independent and Green Party political groups also giving it their backing.

The motion recognises that everybody should have the right to be safe from violence and harassment on our streets and states that women and girls from any background should not have to alter their behaviour in order to feel safe.

It is also acknowledged that it is not just women who are at risk, but that any individual may be vulnerable to attack for various reasons.

Councillor Dine Romero, Liberal Democrat ward member for Southdown, said: “This motion represents a cross-party statement of solidarity with women. We want this Council to do its part, and to make sure in all its decisions that it is not putting more risk on women.

“Somehow it has become accepted that it is women’s fault if they become victims. This is not right and must stop. Going forward, this principle will be embedded in Council strategies and Councillors will work together to make B&NES a safer place.”

Cllr Liz Hardman, Labour ward Councillor for Paulton, said: “Women live in fear and they change their behaviour to avoid being out at night on their own and to try to keep safe. There are things that B&NES Council can and should do. We should make our public spaces safer with improved lighting and CCTV provision and we must keep monitoring progress”.

Cllr Sally Davis, Conservative ward Councillor for Clutton and Farmborough, said: “I am pleased to see this motion brought to Council, though I would of course prefer to live in a world in which it would not be deemed necessary.

“On behalf of the Conservative Group, I applaud this motion and the spirit of cross-party unity in which it was written.”

Cllr Karen Walker, Independent Group ward Councillor for Peasedown, said: “The cross-party group of women came together to share their own experiences and to help understand the need to support others.

“B&NES Council and other organisations should work together to provide better street lighting and CCTV cameras.

“We shall continue to monitor any actions and push if we feel that safety measures are taking too long to be addressed, as stated in the motion before Council.”

Cllr Joanna Wright, Green Party ward Councillor for Lambridge, said: “The Green Party supports this motion, as we recognise the level of violence that surrounds many in daily life is not acceptable.”

The motion requests the principle of championing the right of women and girls to be protected from violence and harassment in public places be embedded in all Council strategies going forward.

It also asks that educational platforms renew their efforts to promote a ‘safety and respect for all’ agenda among their

students.