A recent survey has exposed the disturbing prevalence of public harassment experienced by young women and girls in Cheltenham, with safety concerns during race week emerging repeatedly.
The consultation garnered 177 responses from girls and young women aged 11 to 18 residing in the spa town, and its findings were presented at a Cheltenham Borough Council meeting.
Alarmingly, around 30 percent of respondents reported receiving unwanted explicit images, yet only 16 percent felt their voices were truly heard.
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Richard Gibson, head of communities, wellbeing and partnerships at the council, described the statistics as “shocking” and emphasized the report as a “call to action.” He highlighted the impact of hearing firsthand accounts from young women and girls about their daily struggles.
“People left that session feeling we have to take action. You can’t just file this away for later—it demands immediate attention,” Gibson stated.
The report also revealed a pervasive sense of insecurity after dark, with race week frequently cited as a particular concern. Many respondents identified multiple barriers to seeking help, expressing a lack of confidence in professionals’ ability to address their issues effectively.
Collaboration between the council, local police, and schools has yielded some progress. For example, students from Pittville School, situated on the main route between the town centre and the racecourse, shared their experiences during race week, prompting joint efforts to reduce risks.
Another critical issue identified was the scarcity of safe recreational spaces for young women and girls in the town centre, though initiatives like the successful youth cafe at Smokey Joe’s offer some positive community hubs.
Safety and communities cabinet member Jamie Jamieson described the findings as “profoundly disturbing,” especially for a town like Cheltenham, which he regarded as a generally civilised place. In response, a sub-committee has been formed to develop a robust action plan addressing these concerns.
Guy Lavender, chief executive of Cheltenham Racecourse, reaffirmed the racecourse’s commitment to safety for racegoers and the community. “We maintain a zero-tolerance approach toward any antisocial behaviour or criminal activity and work closely with Gloucestershire Police and local authorities before, during, and after every race day,” he said.
Lavender also highlighted the ongoing success of the “Love Our Turf” initiative, now in its fifth year, which fosters partnership efforts to support community safety. He expressed willingness to collaborate further with organisations dedicated to addressing these important issues.