Up to 600 expected at women's safety run

A women's running group is expecting up to 600 people at an event being held as part of a safety campaign it launched after members reported being harassed and intimidated.

The group, called It's Run By Her, was founded by Sophie Allmark and created its Safer Steps campaign in response things members had experienced while out running in Bognor Regis and the surrounding areas.

Last year's inaugural event was attended by more than 350 people. "Overwhelmed" by the turnout, the group decided to organise a second event, being held on Wednesday.

Allmark said the campaign had sparked a "powerful" conversation, including among local men, with many expected to attend on Wednesday.

She said: "We now have men on board who want to help, and some have started opening up about their own experiences and feelings around safety, behaviour and the conversations that need to happen."

The group created the campaign after reports there had been 16 incidents where women in the group had been made to feel unsafe while out running, including a reported indecent exposure.

It has successfully campaigned for better street lighting in Longbrook Park on the promenade.

Allmark said: "[The lights have] only been up a week, but have made such a huge difference."

Charities Lifecentre and My Sisters' House will be attending Wednesday's event alongside other running groups, gyms communities and a representative of Sussex Police.

Allmark said: "For us, this is about prevention, not just what happens afterwards.

"It's about education, confidence, exercise, mental health, listening to one another and creating a culture where women and girls feel safer - while giving men a meaningful role in that change."

The Glow-Up Walk, Run or Jog event starts at 19:00 BST at the West Park Café in Bognor Regis and will be followed by "community conversation" at The Waverley pub.

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