Women in Southall Speak Out About Harassment
Tell of how they feel it is unsafe to go out at night in the area
Sonam Sharma and her friend Malkeet Kaur
Women in Southall said they were scared to go out alone at night for fear of being harassed in the street.
They said ‘most women’ felt unsafe in area after dark, and want the police to take action and help them feel reassured, especially when walking close to groups of men.
Mother of three Yasmin, 35, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) she mainly felt unsafe when going out after dark: “Some places in Southall are safe, but it’s mostly in the evenings when there are groups of men lingering that I get scared.
“Particularly so when I am with my children. I know the police are doing their best, but more could be done to help us feel safer.”
One woman, who did not wish to be named, agreed, and said, “Most women do not feel safe in Southall – it is definitely a problem.
“They get scared that men will approach them or say unpleasant things.”
Teaching assistant Meena, 19, agreed and said: “It’s really dangerous around here.
“But not just for women. I work with children and where I work is right next to the park.
“There are big problems with harassment around there.”
However, not all women who lived in Southall had had bad experiences in the neighbourhood.
Sonam Sharma moved to Southall recently. She said: “I have only lived in the area for three months but coming home at 12, 1am, I have felt completely safe here.
“It might be because I am in my own community, the Punjabi community, but I have not had any bad experiences.”
It comes after a number of corner shops in Southall were found to be selling alcohol to groups of men who then went on to harass women in the streets.
Inspections by Ealing Council and the Metropolitan Police found that six off-licenses in Southall were encouraging street drinking by selling alcohol to groups of men ‘lingering’ in the street.
The groups frequently exhibited ‘rowdy’ and ‘disruptive’ behaviour as a result of drinking, including harassing women and prompting them to feel unsafe.
The investigation by the council’s trading standards team and police came after reports of groups of street drinkers harassing lone women passers-by.
The council found that the off-licenses were soliciting the street drinkers’ behaviour by continuing to sell them alcohol.
Speaking to the LDRS, women in the area expressed their disgust that off-licenses were encouraging such behaviour.
Sukhpreet Khur suggested a curfew on street drinking could be introduced and said: “They shouldn’t be allowed to sell alcohol to these people.
“After a certain time you shouldn’t be allowed to drink outside, and should only be allowed to drink in pubs or clubs.”
During their investigation, the council and police found illegal tobacco and alcohol, as well as unregulated prescription medication, in some of the premises.
Following the council’s inspection, two corner shops will have their alcohol licenses reviewed for failing to comply with obligations of public safety, prevention of public nuisance, crime and disorder and the failure to protect children from harm.
Ealing councillor Aysha Raza, cabinet member for tackling inequality, said, “Women and girls deserve to feel safe in our public spaces at all times.
“Across the UK it’s reported 97% of women aged 18-24 have reported experiencing harassment in public.
“This isn’t acceptable and together with our partners, including the police and local businesses, we will do all we can to address this important issue."
The Metropolitan Police has been approached for comment.
Lisa Haseldine - Local Democracy Reporter
February 2, 2022