Police Invite Women in Camborne and Redruth to Take Part in Walk and Talk Scheme

Police are inviting women in Camborne and Redruth to take part in a new Walk and Talk scheme aimed at understanding where they feel unsafe and why.

The scheme encourages women to walk with officers around their local area and point out locations or issues that make them feel uncomfortable, such as poor lighting or antisocial behaviour. The aim is to help police better understand how women experience public spaces so activity in the area can be more relevant and focused on community concerns.

How the Walk and Talk scheme works

Women aged 18 and over can request a Walk and Talk by emailing NPS-Camborne@devonandcornwall.police.uk.

A female police officer or Police Community Support Officer will then get in touch to arrange a walk in the neighbourhood. Each walk is expected to last around 30 minutes.

Police say women’s safety is a priority

The scheme is being led locally by PS Alice McKinnon. On first reference, her full name is Alice McKinnon, after which she is referred to as Alice.

Alice said: “Whether it’s to do with poor lighting or antisocial behaviour in an area, we want to want to know about it.

“The safety of women and girls remains an absolute priority for us.

“This isn’t about asking women to solve the problem, but about us listening to the ‘why’ so that us as police can work effectively within our teams and alongside our partners, like the local council, to look at these issues and devise a plan to tackle them.”

She added: “Our hope is that this scheme will enable us to make lasting, sustainable and meaningful change within the town to make our spaces safer for everyone.”

Support from the Police and Crime Commissioner

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner, has also welcomed the scheme.

She said: “I welcome any initiative that will help women of all ages feel safer when out and about because they should not have to live their lives in fear. This work will further strengthen the work that is carried out by my office as part of the Street Focus Camborne project to improve safety and address issues such as antisocial behaviour.

“I would encourage anyone to say where they don’t feel safe and request a Walk and Talk.”

The Walk and Talk scheme is currently open to women in Camborne and Redruth who want to share their experiences directly with police.