There’s something about walking through the London streets at night that makes many of us feel on edge.
From attempted phone snatching to unprovoked violence, it is essential to be vigilant, especially when you’re alone.
It shouldn’t be this way, but the reality is that even a simple jog, an early-morning dog walk, or heading home after a night out can come with a sense of unease. And in my experience, onlookers are often too afraid to intervene, wary of the added risks of knife crime. As a result, women are frequently left to face these attacks alone.
Recent research from personal safety app Walksafe and security provider Mitie shows that almost half of women feel unsafe when walking in the dark, even when making everyday journeys. The survey also showed that 69 per cent change their route home during winter to avoid walking in the dark and spend an average of £100 extra per month on taxis and public transport.
Beyond quick fixes
Although safety tips for women are often well-intended, Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), cautions that they can reinforce the belief that it is women’s responsibility to prevent male violence. She says: “Women and girls are forced to carry out ‘safety work’ – carrying our keys in our hand, sharing our location with friends – due to the constant threat of male violence. But while well-meaning, safety advice for women will never eradicate violence against women. What’s more, it wrongly places the burden on women to keep themselves safe rather than getting to the root of the problem: men’s behaviours and the attitudes that drive this violence”.
She continues, “CCTV, street lighting and rape alarms will never be the solution to men’s violence against women or deter perpetrators. If we are to end violence against women we need to invest in addressing men’s attitudes and behaviours, because women and girls have the right to be safe wherever they are, whether that’s a public space, the workplace, online or at home.”
While the world should be safer, until it is, there are things we can do to try and feel more secure when moving through the city after dark while travelling alone.
Visibility and awareness
From my own experience of walking home in London at night, the increase in phone snatching is a stark reminder of how quickly an ordinary evening can turn into a distressing ordeal. This is why a secure crossbody phone holder or a discreet wrist strap can help prevent theft, keeping your device close without making it an easy target. Given the importance of staying connected in an emergency, carrying a fully charged portable battery is essential - a dead phone means no maps, no emergency contacts, and no way to call for help.
Compact and easy to carry, personal alarms emit a piercing noise that can startle potential threats and attract attention in a moment of distress. Similarly, discreet self-defence tools, such as high-decibel whistles or legal self-protection sprays, provide an additional sense of control when navigating unfamiliar or quiet areas.
Many women instinctively clutch their keys between their fingers while walking home, but for me personally, I have found that a small, high-powered torch can offer a less risky way to stay aware of your surroundings. Some modern designs even feature built-in strobe functions to temporarily disorient an attacker without harming them.
While these tools enhance personal safety, situational awareness remains key. Keeping open-eared headphones at a low volume, sharing your location with trusted contacts, and sticking to well-populated areas all contribute to a safer journey. Safety apps such as bSafe or location navigation aids like What3Words are all useful to download, as well as having travel apps like Uber or Bolt ready to use.
But most importantly as Simon of EVAW points out, the real focus should be on tackling the root of the problem – stopping the attackers – rather than placing the burden on women to constantly defend themselves.
Read on for the best travel safety tools for women.
Helix Mini Personal Alarm
With a piercing 100dB siren, this compact yet powerful personal alarm can startle potential attackers and immediately attract attention, increasing the chances of a swift response.
Designed for ease of use, the rip-cord activation means that it can be triggered quickly in high-stress situations, without fumbling for buttons. The built-in torch adds an extra layer of security, helping to navigate dark streets or poorly lit areas. Lightweight and discreet, it can be carried on a keychain, tucked into a pocket, or attached to a bag for instant access.
Buy now £7.99, Ryman
Sure Safe Go
Sure Safe Go works at home, in the garden, or on the go. Its automatic fall detection calls for help instantly, while GPS tracking means that assistance can reach the right location quickly. This device’s key features include an SOS button, geo-fencing for alerts if a loved one wanders, and a ‘Find Me’ function for instant location updates.
The pendant has a five-to-seven-day battery life, while the watch lasts four to six days. Additional perks include step tracking, medication reminders (watch only), and a water-resistant design. The accompanying app enhances connected care, offering real-time device status, alerts, and secure chat. .
Buy now £179.95, Sure Safe
Arden Close Elise Crossbody with Locking Clasps Strap
At first glance, the Elise Crossbody looks like a stylish bag, but it’s designed with security in mind. When I’m out and about, whether in a busy city or travelling abroad, I want a bag that doesn’t just look good but also keeps my essentials safe.
It has built-in RFID-blocking technology, so my digital details are protected. The wallet section inside has eight card slots and a bill pocket, which means I don’t even need to carry a separate purse. There’s also a zippered pocket for small valuables and a D-ring where I can attach my keys. The back slip pocket is perfect for anything I need to grab quickly, like my phone.
What makes me feel even more secure is that every strap option is slash-resistant and comes with locking clasps, making it much harder for anyone to snatch.
Buy now £206.00, Arden Close
Pacsafe Vibe 150 - Anti-Theft Shoulder Bag
Handy for protecting belongings on walks or jogs, this bag is compact, which is ideal for carrying essentials like a phone, wallet and keys.
The bag’s RFID-blocking pockets keep personal data secure by preventing digital theft and it also has a security clip, which allows you to securely attach the bag to a solid object. For extra peace of mind, the zippers can’t be opened without the wearer noticing, thanks to a locking mechanism that interlocks the zippers and cables.
On top of all the security features, the bag is made with material, which embeds hidden stainless steel mesh in the fabric to prevent slash-and-run theft.
Buy now £84.95, Amazon
Nike Women's Therma-FIT Reflective Design Running Jacket
This jacket features reflective design elements that light up your route, increasing visibility and reducing the risk of accidents when moving through poorly lit areas. Whether you're out for a late run or walking home after dark, the reflective details ensure you're noticed, providing an added layer of safety on the go.
Nike also offers practical features with this design such as Therma-Fit technology, which regulates your body’s natural heat, keeping you warm without weighing you down.
Additionally, the jacket is equipped with a whistle on the collar, which could be a vital safety feature in an emergency, while the two fleece-lined zip pockets provide secure storage for essentials like keys or your phone.
Buy now £229.99, Nike
Native Union City Sling
With this hands-free, cross-body design, it allows for effortless carrying without the risk of dropping or misplacing your device. Whether you're navigating a busy city or walking home after dark, the durable construction ensures your phone stays safe, minimising the chances of accidental falls or theft.
Buy now £26.99, Native Union
Mous Phone Strap
Whether you’re walking through a busy city, rushing for public transport, or heading home alone, this strap makes sure that your phone stays firmly in place. The strap threads through a belt loop or wraps around your wrist, so you never have to worry about your phone slipping from your grasp. Its durable material gives me extra security without adding bulk, making it a simple but effective safety feature.
Buy now £6.99, Mous
Revolut pre-paid card
It’s always useful to have a pre-paid backup card, in both physical or digital form in case of emergencies such as car rides home. If your card is lost or stolen, you can instantly freeze and cancel it in the app, preventing unauthorised transactions. If you need access to funds right away, you can generate a new virtual card within minutes, which works for online purchases or through Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Buy now £0.00, Revolut
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds allow you to stay alert to the outside world without losing out on sound if you need to speak to a loved one using the in-built microphones while walking home.
Unlike traditional earbuds, the open-ear design lets us stay aware of our surroundings while listening to crystal-clear audio, whether on a busy street or at the park.
Buy now £249.95, Bose
Master Lock Light Up Key Safe 5425EURD
If you need to place a key safe in a dark corner, or you have guests coming and going at night, a model that has an illuminated face is ideal. This has a durable case and a cover to keep it safe from water and dirt and there is a window in the cover that allows you to see the large, easy-to-read dial combination easily.
It can hold several keys and be mounted onto wooden or brick walls. All that you need to attach it is included within the box. The combination can be reset when required.
Buy now £32.00, Argos
Noyzie Self Defence Spray
This keychain spray offers a legal and highly effective way to protect yourself without the need for harmful chemicals or weapons. Designed to startle and disorientate, this powerful spray releases a thick, sticky red dye that marks an attacker from up to 10 feet away, making it easier for authorities to identify them.
The long-lasting stain on skin and clothing means that they remain identifiable for days. Additionally, the formula contains UV marking, meaning offenders can still be detected under police UV lights, even if they attempt to wash it off.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Anker Power Bank, PowerCore 26800mAh
Anker is one of the best-known names for bringing power to the people, and when you reach for this charger, you’ll soon see why.
The 337 offers mammoth levels of capacity with 26,800mAh power to keep your devices in excellent working order. There are three USB ports including one with PowerIQ for high-speed charging.
Available in black and white (which might be easier to spot in the dark), it offers a week’s worth of mobile phone charging.
Not only is it powerful but it’s light too at just shy of 500g, so easy to slip into a bag ready to use when you need it most.
Buy now £48.00, Amazon
