"Women Express Safety Concerns Amid Rising Harassment During Cheltenham Festival"

the safety of women in Cheltenham during race week.

Concerns have escalated in recent years, as more women openly report being subjected to harassment. Incidents range from catcalling and inappropriate comments to being physically grabbed or followed home late at night. The troubling experiences have prompted many women residents and visitors alike to avoid the town center altogether during the festival.

To combat the intensifying problem, Cheltenham's borough council established a designated safe space specifically for younger individuals, under 18, offering them protection from unwanted advances. Despite these local efforts, residents report that the core issues persist. Jo Surma, a long-term Cheltenham resident, emphasized how pervasive and normalized the harassment has become, making evenings during race week essentially off-limits to many women.

Surma and others attribute part of the hostile environment to temporary establishments permitted during the festival, notably pop-up strip clubs, which are legally allowed due to a regulatory loophole. These short-term venues reportedly heighten intoxication and aggressive behaviors that spill onto the streets, greatly increasing women's vulnerability and discomfort.

Many women echo these accounts. Alice, working at the festival, recounted feeling humiliated after a man publicly shouted inappropriate remarks about her appearance. Another woman shared how groups of young men regularly blocked her path, becoming aggressive if she declined interaction. Such experiences were reflected in a survey from the GlosWomen group, revealing disturbing statistics of widespread discomfort and harassment faced by women during this time.

Local authorities recognize the seriousness of these concerns. The borough council has emphasized women's safety as their leading concern during festival periods, collaborating with local police and festival organizers on initiatives such as staff training, venue safety checks, and the "Ask for Angela" initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals.

Louis Krog, head of protection at Cheltenham Borough Council, acknowledged increased difficulty controlling the situation, attributing part of the problem to demographic shifts toward large numbers of single, often intoxicated men in the town center. Describing late-night scenes as comparable to massive stag parties, Krog stated that legislative changes regarding the licensing of temporary strip clubs would significantly enhance the council's capability to manage visitor conduct effectively.

Gloucestershire Police reaffirmed their commitment to addressing predatory behaviors, deploying both plainclothes and uniformed officers each festival night. However, despite growing community calls for stricter regulation of temporary venues, the Home Office indicated no current plans to change existing licensing laws, though it would regularly review policies to ensure public safety and community well-being.