Helping Millions of Brits Walk Safely at Night

As winter approaches and the nights get darker, a new study from Clear Channel UK reveals a concerning reality for many Britons—one in five adults (19%) would never walk alone at night, with the percentage rising even higher among women. Clear Channel, one of the UK’s leading Out of Home media and infrastructure companies, has joined forces with Strut Safe to make nighttime journeys safer for everyone.

The Growing Concern of Street Safety

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that anti-social behaviour (ASB)—defined as actions that cause harassment, alarm, or distress to others—is on the rise. In fact, more than a third (36%) of people have witnessed or experienced some form of ASB in the year ending June 2024. Alongside this, Clear Channel’s own research highlights that 17% of UK adults always feel uncomfortable walking alone after dark.

As a result, many people, particularly women, are increasingly cautious when it comes to walking in the dark. In fact, 25% of adults admit to using specific routes they believe are safer, while 51% say they would avoid walking alone at night if they didn’t have a phone on hand. Additionally, one in ten UK adults regularly call a family member or friend while walking, and 11% even pretend to be on the phone in order to feel safer.

The Strut Safe Partnership: A Step Toward Safer Streets

In light of these concerns, Clear Channel UK has partnered with Strut Safe, a volunteer-run initiative offering a lifeline for people who feel unsafe walking at night. The partnership will see Strut Safe’s contact details displayed across Clear Channel’s Adshel Live and Billboard Live digital screens, located at thousands of bus stops and billboards nationwide. The goal is to make it easier for people to access this vital service and ensure that help is just a phone call away.

Founded in March 2021, Strut Safe operates a phone line that connects callers to trained volunteers, who stay on the line with the caller until they reach their destination safely. The service runs during peak nighttime hours—Fridays and Saturdays from 7 PM to 3 AM, and Sundays from 7 PM to 1 AM— with plans to extend its hours in the future.

The Impact of Public Infrastructure on Nighttime Safety

Clear Channel’s research also reveals that public infrastructure can play a significant role in making people feel safer when walking at night. Over two in five adults (42%) report feeling safer walking along bus routes with bus stops, while nearly two-thirds (61%) feel more secure when walking in areas with streetlights. Other features that contribute to a safer feeling include pubs and restaurants (46%) and wider pavements (37%).

The partnership between Clear Channel and Strut Safe also addresses the specific concerns of different age groups. While younger adults tend to feel more confident walking alone in unfamiliar locations, 70% of those aged 55+ would never walk alone in such circumstances. Regardless of age, however, more than a third of all age groups reported that they would not walk alone in the dark.

Interestingly, the study also found that people in London were more confident about walking alone at night compared to other areas of the UK. Only 10% of Londoners said they would never walk alone after dark, which is half the rate of the national average.

A Commitment to Community Safety

Martin Corke, Chief Marketing Officer at Clear Channel UK, emphasized the importance of this partnership in a statement: “By promoting Strut Safe’s contact details across our bus shelter network, we aim to make every nighttime journey safer. This partnership aligns with our commitment to using our network of digital screens as a platform for good, amplifying messages that protect community wellbeing. Together, we hope to bring light to the darkness and create a future where everyone can travel without fear.”

Rho Chung, Co-Founder and Director of Communications at Strut Safe, added: “Street violence disproportionately impacts marginalized groups and creates a culture of fear that restricts everyday life. We started Strut Safe to provide a safe space for those navigating these challenges. This partnership with Clear Channel UK will allow us to meet those who need our service exactly where they are—and when they most need it.”

Growing Demand for Strut Safe’s Service

The need for Strut Safe’s services continues to grow, with a 97% increase in calls in 2024 compared to the previous year. As December nights grow longer and darker, the importance of publicizing Strut Safe’s service becomes even more critical. In fact, Strut Safe has seen a 109.5% increase in QR code scans in November 2024, demonstrating the rising demand for safety services. Just under a quarter of Strut Safe’s calls come through their partnerships, including with Clear Channel, showcasing the power of collaboration in making communities safer.

Conclusion: A Future with Safer Nighttime Journeys

Clear Channel’s partnership with Strut Safe is an important step toward ensuring that people across the UK can travel with greater peace of mind, particularly during the darker months of the year. With the support of digital advertising and public infrastructure, Strut Safe’s crucial service can reach more people in need, helping to reduce fear and anxiety during nighttime journeys.

Together, Clear Channel and Strut Safe are working to bring light to the darkness, making it possible for everyone to walk, commute, and travel without fear.