Woman's murder sparked major changes - but 'more are needed'

It has been 15 years since Sian O'Callaghan disappeared during a night out and was later found murdered. Following her death, Sian's mother Elaine Pickford launched a major campaign to improve safety for women, but many living in her town still say they feel scared.

Sian was 22 when she was killed by Christopher Halliwell after getting into his taxi in Swindon in March 2011. Halliwell, 62, was jailed for life in October 2012. He was later handed a whole-life sentence for the murder of Becky Godden.

Following Sian's death, Pickford successfully campaigned for a change in the law, which saw the introduction of stricter background checks on taxi drivers. Wiltshire Police and council leaders have also launched a string of safety measures across Swindon to boost women's safety.

But despite the progress, the BBC have spoken to a number of women who still feel unsafe.

Britney, 20, said there has been "quite a few instances" where she and her friends have been harassed when they go out during the night.

"I feel like the drunker people get, the more things that happen and behaviour shifts," she said.

"You normalise it [being harassed by men] because it happens so much, but it shouldn't," she added.

"Now I always go out in a bigger group than just two or three people."

Millie, 18, said there is "always going to be people shouting stuff".

"People beeping their car horns - that [happens] so often," she said.

Alice, 24, said she has not personally experienced anything "bad" in the town but feels "a sense of relief" when there are other women around.

"If I'm around people I'm just going to feel a bit on edge particularly if it's dark, and if I don't have a safe place or safe person," she added.

Kate Tomlinson, women's safety campaigner, said she would like to see tougher rules for taxi drivers.

"If you were a taxi driver you could lose your licence in an authority, but then you could move to a different local authority and get a licence regardless of what had happened previously," said Tomlinson.

"Now every single authority has access to a database which shows if you've got a violent record."

Wiltshire Police has started using drones to tackle violence against women as part of its Project Vigilant.

The drones are flown over key areas, such as Swindon's Old Town, to look out for suspicious behaviour.

Chrissie Lowery, founder of charity Safe Space, said things had improved since Sian's murder, but safety remained an issue.

"When I was 16 there was nothing, things have changed a lot since then.

"Women are more empowered, we know about things, we don't have to walk around with keys in our hands anymore," Lowery added.

Lowery also founded a volunteer safety initiative called Night Angels, which involves female volunteers patrolling the streets making sure women are safe on nights out.

It was first rolled-out in Stroud, and has now been expanded into Swindon.

Swindon Borough Council has introduced an app called 'Umay' which people can use to find places of safety.

"They can click on the app and the nearest place of safety will come up, they can go and speak to trained volunteers to be reassured and feel safe," said Jim Grant, cabinet member for communities and partnership working.

But the town still needs to do more, Grant admits.

"We've got a number of organisations signed up but we need more all over the town, people running early morning may feel threatened in the more suburban areas, so we need more organisations to come onboard to be places of safety," he added.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said that while progress has been made, "we know many still feel uneasy".

"We continue to invest in safety initiatives - such as taxi marshals, Night Angels, street wardens, enhanced CCTV and targeted patrols - so that responsibility sits with those who may cause harm, not with women and girls who should feel free to go about their daily lives without fear of harm," Wilkinson added.

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