Ealing Police and its Safer Neighbourhood Team went on the run with the local community in Walpole Park last Wednesday (19 February 2025) as part of a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) initiative.
It was a usual February evening, dark with a little drizzle. Nevertheless, numerous local people travelled into Ealing Broadway to support the first in what is set to be a series of after-dark runs in local parks across the borough, hoping to get more women and girls active where they may not have felt comfortable before.
Donned in running gear and high-vis vests, the police awaited the group’s arrival, handing out sweets and bottles of water to boost the energy of the runners and walkers before they jogged on.
But first, a warm up led by the officers.
The runners went for two laps around the park, whilst most of the walkers did one. Officers either ran alongside or stationed themselves around the park, cheering on the group.
PC Emilie Waite, who organised the event, told EALING.NEWS: “VAWG, or Violence Against Women and Girls, is one of the Met’s main initiatives and main priorities at the moment, and that’s just because there are a number of attacks on women, sexual violence, sexual abuse.”
PC Waite added: “As a woman myself, as a police officer, I know what it’s like to go for a run after work and it being completely dark and wishing that I had a safe space to run in. So that’s exactly why we’re here today in Walpole Park, to just support members of the public, go on a nice friendly run or walk with them, and just make sure that they feel safe in this area.”
Inspector Crystal Govers said: “I think this is the start of many, many Violence Against Women and Girls initiatives that we are trialling across Ealing. Feedback from members of the public is that young women and girls don’t feel safe in open spaces at night. So today is the first time to get everyone together to show that we are here, the police, as a community to come together.”
When asked what the police could be doing to make women and girls feel more comfortable, Inspector Govers added: “I think it’s all with community engagement. We have to rebuild trust and confidence; that’s across the Met. We have to let people know that we are here, we are making a change and that is by getting out, speaking to people, making people come together like today, getting into youth centres, schools, groups, community centres and just literally getting out there, spreading the word and educating people on what we can do to combat violence against women and girls.”
Among locals who attended the event was Monika Williams who said of the police initiative: “I am so pleased to be here as a woman, as a mum, as a [representative] of other women. So many of us are here, and I’m so pleased that finally we could have support from local [Safer Neighbourhoods] team and [the] Metropolitan Police actually listening to us what we need and they’re trying to meet our needs. I’m so pleased to be a part of that.”
Councillors from Ealing Council also were attendance – Councillor Seema Kumar (Ealing Broadway ward), Councillor Aysha Raza (Central Greenford ward) and Councillor Jasbir Anand, cabinet member for tackling crime and antisocial behaviour.
Councillor Raza said of the evening: “We as councillors hear about women feeling unsafe after dark. I’m sure there’s lots to do, but a good start. I’d like to see them in places like Greenford where we don’t have [many] organised things going on.”
One issue mentioned by several runners and walkers was just how dark the park was in the evening. A lack of light in the area was clearly noted by the officers, who also handed out headlights to members of the group, whilst others came equipped with their own torches.
Although this is the start of a great initiative, it is clear that a dark environment is not greatly mobilising for women and girls, even with increased police presence.
 as part of a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) initiative.){kind=link}