As the nights draw in and we now have to watch Pointless in the dark, Screen Editor Megan Furborough tells you not to worry too much about the recent crimes in Exeter as if you’re sensible, it’s still safe to walk the streets at night.
In light of the recent stabbing on Sidwell Street and rumours of a flasher on Pennsylvania Road, talk of student safety in Exeter is on everyone’s lips again. Whilst these incidents are worrying, particularly because of their serious nature, I strongly feel that they are largely isolated. Exeter, on the whole, is a safe city to live in – much, much more so than the West London town I come from.
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I have never felt at risk when walking around Exeter, even if it’s at night and I’m by myself. The nature of my role at Exeposé and as a member of the University’s canoe club means that there are often times when I am running across town to get to the office or to pool sessions and socials – and the ever-earlier nights mean that anything that happens in the winter evenings guarantees a walk in the dark.
Obviously there are times when you are more vulnerable – namely when you’re drunk and wandering back from town to the far-flung reaches of Mount Pleasant. Whilst it is always better to walk back in a group, if I do walk back by myself I always make sure I tell someone when I leave and text my housemates to tell them that I’m coming home. More than anything, I just tend to keep my wits about me and try to be sensible; including keeping my phone in my bag away from sight and walking with purpose (which, seeing as I tend to stride everywhere anyway, is pretty easy!).
Pretending that crimes couldn’t possibly happen in a city in Devon is silly, but agonising over the possibility of what could happen won’t do any favours for your confidence either. A benefit of the size of Exeter means that you’re never really more than 20 minutes away from your destination and you probably know someone on every street – so try not to worry!
Megan Furborough
Do you feel safe when walking the streets of Exeter at night? Is the fear of crime larger than the likelyhood of it actually happening? Leave a comment below or write to the Comment team at the Exeposé Comment Facebook Group or on Twitter @CommentExepose.
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