Safety Wristbands Given to Women Runners in North Devon 

More than 1,000 safety wristbands that women runners can use in emergencies have been given to running groups across north Devon. The devices were funded with money seized by police from criminal activity and include a personal alarm that can be activated to attract attention. 

Ilfracombe Running Club applied for the funding after concerns about women running alone, particularly at night in remote areas. The club received nearly £3,000 through Devon and Cornwall Police’s Proceeds of Crime Act fund, which supports projects aimed at improving community safety. 

The money was enough to buy 1,050 safety wristbands women runners can carry while exercising. These safety wristbands have a button that sets off an alarm if the person wearing the safety wristbands feels scared or needs help. 

Chris Burley of Ilfracombe Running Club said the choice to look for money was because of how many women run alone in north Devon. The area’s rural and remote locations were also a concern. 

The scheme comes amid wider concerns about running safety. New research from the N8 Policing Research Partnership shows the reality. 68% of women have dealt with abuse while out running, but only 5% actually reported those incidents. 

A few women runners who took part in the study mentioned that the new devices help them feel much better when they are exercising alone. Debby Burnside, 61, from Ilfracombe said the wristband gives her peace of mind. Debby Burnside likes the wristband because she can use it to get help if she gets hurt or if someone attacks her. 

Another runner, Mel Hickles, shared that she has dealt with people shouting comments from car windows while she was running. Such incidents had made her change routes or end runs early. 

Police said the scheme aimed to help women feel safer without suggesting that they should stop running alone. Inspector Joey Lester of Devon and Cornwall Police said stranger attacks on lone women were relatively uncommon, but each incident could have a serious impact. 

The safety wristbands women runners have received are intended as an additional safety measure rather than a replacement for emergency services. The personal alarm can draw attention when immediate help is needed. 

The project provides a practical response to concerns around running safety, particularly for women exercising alone in remote areas. Police and local running groups hope the devices will give more women confidence to continue staying active.