Leeds city centre 'safety bus' to protect women on nights out will be parked on Dortmund Square in new trial

By Emma Ryan
Published 3rd Mar 2022, 04:45 BST
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Leeds has seen a "definite" culture shift when it comes to women's safety say campaigners on the first anniversary of the death of Sarah Everard.

On March 3 last year, the 33-year-old was kidnapped as she walked home from a friend's house by serving Met police officer Wayne Couzens. She was later raped and murdered before he dumped her body.

Sisters Bibaa Henry, 46, and Nicole Smallman, 27 had been murdered in a park in June 2020 by Danyal Hussein who had embarked on a "campaign of vengeance" against random women. School teacher Sabina Nessa was on her way to meet a friend in a bar in September when she was beaten and strangled by Koci Selamaj.

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These are just a few examples of the murders of women by men, but it is thought there were more than 80 in the seven months since the shocking death of Ms Everard.

Organisations working to improve women's safety in Leeds city centre during the night time economy are piloting a safety bus in Dortmund Square over the next three weekends.Organisations working to improve women's safety in Leeds city centre during the night time economy are piloting a safety bus in Dortmund Square over the next three weekends.
Organisations working to improve women's safety in Leeds city centre during the night time economy are piloting a safety bus in Dortmund Square over the next three weekends.

It prompted action by women's groups and supporters up and down the country and Leeds was no exception with candlelit vigils and marches.

However, campaigners for women's safety in the Leeds say there are now the beginnings of change - in terms of culture, attitude and action.

One of the latest developments comes this weekend as Women's Live Leeds hosts a safe bus in a pilot project running over three weekends.