Safer Parks: Fostering a Community of Active Bystanders for the UK’s Green Spaces

The Safer Parks Bystander Project, led by the University of Leeds with Keep Britain Tidy and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, aimed to make UK parks safer for women and girls by empowering communities through active bystander training and public awareness. Between October 2024 and September 2025, 245 participants across six regions completed Stand Up Against Street Harassment sessions based on the 5Ds model—Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct—adapted for park settings. Evaluation showed significant increases in bystander confidence and reductions in perceived barriers to action, with 99% rating the training positively and 94% feeling empowered to intervene. Qualitative feedback highlighted the value of realistic scenarios and shared responsibility for safer spaces. The national Safer Parks campaign further promoted bystander action and community engagement. The project demonstrates that evidence-based training and collaboration can foster culture change and safer, more inclusive parks.