I don't feel safe walking alone at night in Birmingham - I've seen people with knives

With calls to street safety helpline Strut Safe rising, concerns about walking alone at night are mounting - especially for women and students. In some neighbourhoods, it’s not just about poor lighting or empty streets. It’s about knives.

“Well, my area? No,” said one local bluntly. “I’ve seen people with knives before. It’s not really a safe place, not one bit.”

For many, it's the layout of their surroundings that amplifies the fear. “You don’t feel safe. I have a lot of alleyways. It’s nerve-wracking walking up and down them. You don’t know what you’re going to come into contact with.”

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The unease is especially high for women. One resident said she avoids running at night entirely. “Being female, running at night—I don’t like it at all. The one thing is light. It needs to be brighter. That’s all. And more presence.”

Read more: We visit Birmingham's most dangerous neighbourhood: 'It's tense, especially for women'

Another echoed that sentiment, pointing to a lack of visibility and support after dark. “Walking back from campus, sometimes when it’s quite dark, it doesn’t feel that safe.” They noted it’s improved with longer daylight hours, but only slightly.

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Asked whether a stronger police presence would help, one person was cautious: “I don’t really walk out at night. But if I did, I think I’d want to see more police.” Still, they acknowledged the limits of change: “That’s down to finance, funding, money—and the only people who can provide that are the government.”

Strut Safe, a non-profit offering a listening ear and guidance for people walking home alone, says rising helpline usage reflects just how widespread and deep-rooted these safety concerns have become.