A SAFETY app is being trialled in Reading to help people feel safer on the streets, following a rise in sexual assault cases.

Reading Borough Council has shared its plans to keep Reading residents safe, after Thames Valley Police revealed that there was a record number of sexual offences recorded last year, according to new data.

One way is by expanding the existing MYWAYREADING mobile app. It helps people plan safe routes home from town centre, using real time data from sensors around the town.

The app aims to provide information such as if a street is busy, or well-lit and provides information on how people can seek support.

App users can pin a location to warn others of areas to avoid.

A spokesperson for Reading Borough Council said: “Reading Borough Council is fully committed to improving the safety of residents, through proactive work as part of the Community Safety Partnership.

“The partnership also includes Thames Valley Police, Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue, the probation service, Brighter Futures for Children and other organisations, and works to reduce crime and support victims of crime.

“We have recently updated our Community Safety and Serious Violence Strategy based on the results of two public consultations, with one of the priorities to improve safety for women and girls in Reading.”

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Last year, the Council, which was in partnership with Thames Valley Police, received £429,000 of government funding to improve safety in Reading.

This has helped fund projects such as the Community Safe Hub which will be a permanent home for First Stop, a town centre first aid and welfare service currently based in Reading Minster.

The Hub will also be a community safety drop-in centre, providing personal safety and crime prevention advice.

Following an investigation into a rape incident on Oxford Road, Reclaim the Night Reading and former Reading councillor Sophia James said: “The Government and criminal justice system are failing women and girls.”

She said education needs to start early for children on this issue and consent is an important aspect of that education.

“Men have a responsibility to call out other men for inappropriate behaviour towards women and public bodies have a duty of care,” Sophia says.

READ MORE - Sexual offences in Thames Valley reach record high since 2007

The Council added that it is providing dedicated safe spaces and campaigns to support and encourage female victims to report crimes.

Training programmes for staff working at late night venues in Reading will also be expanded as part of Reading Council’s safety initiatives.

Office for National Statistics figures show 6,418 sexual offences were recorded by Thames Valley Police in the year to December 2022 – a record high since equivalent records began in the year to September 2007.