A PROTEST over concerns for women's safety in Evesham is taking place today (Saturday) after a woman was 'brutally attacked' earlier this month.

Women in Evesham have had enough and want their voices heard after an attack on Port Street earlier this month. 

The protest will take place at 11am.

The attack, which happened on Port Street in the early morning of October 6, left a woman with a cracked skull and a bleed on the brain. 

Carrie Thomas, the victim, has now had emergency surgery and her friends and family are calling for action. 

Natalie Seed, Carrie Thomas's sister said: "We will be holding a protest today on Port Street starting from outside the sofa shop. 

"My sister is not an isolated incident and quite a lot of the girls who have been attacked will be there with everyone rallying around them. 

"We want our voices heard and we want to know what's going on."

According to one sexual assault victim who spoke at a recent Evesham Town Council meeting to address this issue there have been eight attacks in the last 13 years on Port Street. 

Police say since July there have been five crimes reported against women and girls on Port Street: three domestic related crimes, one assault linked to disorder in a pub and a dog bite. All of these crimes have been investigated.  

Police added over the summer there had been a reduction in reported crimes involving violence against women and girls (VAWG) across the whole town.

Chloe Hopper who was attacked in Port Street in 2022 and spoke at the meeting said: "It's come to my attention that on Saturday last week my friend was assaulted on Port Street and suffered some quite serious injures.

"She has a cracked skull, she's waiting for surgery, she's got a blood clot on her brain.

"It was unprovoked and as I understand it's a lot like my case where I was sexually assaulted on Port Street in 2022.

"I'd like to introduce safe routes which is what me and my friend have come up with, it's an idea where women know there's a safe route home and we raise awareness that Port Street can become a safe route by adding lighting into the alleyways that aren't lit at all, adding signs along Port Street that say there aren't any CCTV down the alleyways, but I'm looking for more ideas to make port street safer.

"It's not safe and there's seven women that stand behind me as victims of the same crime over the last 13 years and the last assault was Saturday."

During the meeting, councillors suggested the idea of subsidising taxis and pubs to give out out free rape alarms. 

The council also agreed to conduct a further meeting with Ms Hopper to discuss the issue in more depth. 

In an open letter to Evesham, chief inspector Paul Harvey from West Mercia Police said: "We are aware from our work with the Evesham community of a feeling of unsafety in the Bengeworth area of the town.  
 
I want to be open with you about the perception of crime in the area, the facts and, importantly, what we are doing to help you both be safe and feel safe.

"Over the summer right up until now we have seen a reduction in reported crimes involving violence against women and girls (VAWG) across the whole town. I understand that Port Street has been an area of particular concern for the community so want to be completely open about the reported crimes in the area. Since July there have been five crimes reported on the road linked to VAWG; three domestic related crimes, one assault linked to disorder in a pub and a dog bite. All of these crimes have been investigated.  

"Please know that if you are a victim of a crime you can come to us in confidence and all matters will be thoroughly investigated. We will also ensure you know what support is available to you.  

"Working with our partners, we’re doing all we can to understand fears and concerns in the area, particularly those of women and girls. 
 
"As part of our ongoing work across the whole town, we are working with our partners to look at the Bengeworth area to consider any improvements that may be necessary and could help you feel safer. This includes reviewing CCTV and lighting.  

"As well as reaching out directly to your local policing team you can also use the StreetSafe service to report areas where you don’t feel safe – such as poorly lit alleyways that make you feel unsafe, or where there is vandalism.  

"Crimes should be reported directly to the police, which you can do via our website but, of course, in an emergency call 999"