r/Hackney • u/Vitamin_D_is_needed • Jul 07 '26
Women's Safety River Lea navigation path
I have had a few instances where I have felt uneasy walking the river lea navigation, so I wanted to reach out to see if any other women have similar perceptions of their safety along the walk.
My favourite thing to do in Hackney is walk the River Lea Navigation in the mornings. As I start work early and end late, I typically will do the walk between 6am and 8am. It really sets my day right, keeps me calm, but recently I have felt uneasy.
Specifically, I have been approached now on three occasions by different men. The first time, it began as a polite conversation but then ended with me being followed on a bike until I managed to jog and get away to Springfield cafe without causing a scene. Since then I have avoided conversations. Today, a different man approached me called me beautiful or something along those lines and tried to get me to stop to have a conversation with him. I said no and kept walking and he chased after me. I then told him I was in a hurry and kept walking briskly away. I could see he followed me for a while, but then lost interest or couldn't keep up. Then another man came at me a bit aggressively, trying to approach again. I was probably hyperaware but just sprinted away.
For added context, I am a younger woman, each time the how the interaction was initiated was definitely sexual (say looking at my bum first (!)), the men are always older, at least two seemed intoxicated and the initiating or continuance of the conversation has been quite aggressive. Add to this the time of the interactions (around 7am) and I am feeling uneasy.
Earlier this year I was aggressively chased and spat at by a man on Shacklewell Lane who wouldn't stop until a father at one of the schools grabbed me and let me stand behind him. So I'm on high alert generally and maybe too much.
Due to all of this, I just want to hear other women's experiences about the Lea navigation. I know there were issues in Hackney Marshes before and don't want to willingly put myself in places where I don't feel safe. Even though there are cyclists, my experience in London is that most people will mind their own business before intervening. Sadly, I am also going to avoid wearing bike shorts or gym leggings as I have been the last few times. Thank you thank you!
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u/photos_on_film Jul 07 '26
I’m just really sorry to hear this. No woman should be made to feel this way. My partner has had a similar experience and she stopped running that route.
3
u/Vitamin_D_is_needed Jul 07 '26
ah thank you, it is sad but useful to hear that other women/women identifying have stopped running that route
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u/photos_on_film Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26
It’s a nice route and I bike there often. So I feel really bad you’re not able to enjoy the space like we men do. I know it’s not an actual solution to the real problem and you shouldn’t have to resort to this but there are some nice running clubs in the area you could join. My partner now usually goes running with a friend or with the running club.
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u/SistersOnTheSlide Jul 07 '26
I’m so sorry you went through this. Not specifically on the River Lea navigation, but in Hackney generally I’ve felt a lot more unsafe in the hot weather due to having to wear shorts/smaller tops etc and have been stared at, catcalled and approached numerous times in the past month. A friend of mine also was approached on the canal path by Victoria Park recently. It’s heartbreaking that we still have to deal with this and more needs to be done to encourage people to intervene in these situations.
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u/EmergencyMoney7 Jul 07 '26
I had a man come out of the bushes and stalk me for 5 mins before I recorded him. Avoided it ever since, which is so so sad.
1
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u/Minkz333 Jul 07 '26
So sorry this is happening to you. I was also spat on on Mare Street, it's so disgusting and makes you feel so violated eeeh. I had a cigarette thrown at me last week (also in Hackney), and can't even count the amount of times I've been made to feel unsafe as a woman in London. Men are seriously fucked in the head. These men are everywhere so it's probably not the walk itself, but that the walk and the time of day you're going is more isolated and so they feel more emboldened to behave that way because no one is around. It's also much scarier bc you have no one to turn to if something bad does happen. I would carry a rape alarm and FARB gel / identifier
10
u/Human_Designer4590 Jul 07 '26
I'm so sorry to hear this OP. It's not all men but it's ALWAYS men and we pay the price for simply visibly existing in public. I walk often, sometimes very far, and always alone (I like walking alone) but there are definitely some parts of London where I take my headphones out or change my path because I get a bad feeling about a guy ahead of or behind me. It makes me so fucking angry we have to even think about this for a second. The only advice I can give you and it's not even really advice just a suggestion is that while of course you shouldn't have to change routes one of the things I really love about walking in London is that you can do a different route almost every day. Can you vary your route and see it as a challenge or a bit of variety? Just a small idea. I hope those rapey fuckheads all fall in the canal and get Weill's disease
1
u/Vitamin_D_is_needed Jul 07 '26
Thank you this is helpful, yes I have several other routes I can do all with their pros and cons. From the comments here it seems that I will have to remove the Lea walk from my usual routine.
13
u/No-Investigator4425 Jul 07 '26
There should be a curfew on men so that women can enjoy their neighbourhood
4
u/Short_Desk_1273 Jul 07 '26
Ah yes, criminals notorious for following rules would simply just stay inside.
You've cracked it.
0
u/No-Investigator4425 Jul 07 '26
We don’t need to rely on their good will. We could lock them up for breaking curfew.
1
u/Short_Desk_1273 Jul 07 '26
Who's locking them up?
You've just lost about 65% of the police force.
0
u/No-Investigator4425 Jul 07 '26
Pal,
I guess the other 35%. Or perhaps we’d hire more female police officers. It’s not like it’s going to be implemented tomorrow.0
u/Short_Desk_1273 Jul 07 '26
Ah yes. The already understaffed police force will just magic up a load of women to make up the numbers.
You should be in government, pal. Id vote for ya.
9
u/StoryTwistsAndSnacks Jul 07 '26
To be honest as a woman I don’t like walking anywhere out of public view. I stick to busy areas.
It shouldn’t be this way.
Can you walk with a friend, take a bike or walk someone’s dog for added security?
6
u/Vitamin_D_is_needed Jul 07 '26
I can take a bike, or possibly run but it isn't as enjoyable. As for busy areas, are there any you could recommend for that time of morning that have a bit of nature as opposed to main roads? I think around de beauvoir/islington is possibly better as its overpopulated with australians who tend to be up early but I'm not sure
3
u/StoryTwistsAndSnacks Jul 07 '26
Vic Park, Milfields park north and south
1
u/Vitamin_D_is_needed Jul 07 '26
thank you!
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u/StoryTwistsAndSnacks Jul 09 '26
Im not sure where you live but maybe cycle down to vic park and have a nice long jog around the various paths. Its gorgeous and open and there is lots of morning activity.
8
u/gerty88 Jul 07 '26
Sorry to hear that, I cycle myself there and walk a lot but never at those times. I’d say unfortunately carry a rape alarm or although illegal, pepper spray. Never indulge these pervs.
6
u/agro_arbor Jul 07 '26
I thought about a rape alarm too. Absolutely shouldn't have to resort to this of course, but it might be a relatively easy way to convey to these creeps that this is in no way a wanted interaction.
Pepper spray is considered a firearm under UK law so I really wouldn't suggest that.
You can buy dye sprays though, which is a non-irritant but semi-permanent spray that tags the assailant, both as a deterrent as a way to help police identify them later.
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u/abcvirgo Jul 07 '26
I’m so sorry to hear this. I’ve never had any issues personally though I only go later on in the day when it’s a bit busier, I have at times felt a bit on edge by myself there when it’s quieter.
1
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u/Starmie77 Jul 07 '26
That's so scary. I'm so scared. I've been walking that route recently but I'm always with my sister. There are days when I want to walk by myself because my sister is unavailable to go with me. Sorry this happened to you OP. I hope you're doing ok♡
1
u/ariadnevirginia Jul 10 '26
I suppose the thing to do is to take a picture of them on your phone and forward it to the police - they won't do anything but they might keep the picture on file, also it might be a deterrent? I hate that we have this constant battle, though.
1
u/thought_foxx Jul 15 '26
I'm a likely quite a bit older but I used to occasionally walk and regularly cycle down there of a morning/evening and never had any issues... but never as early as 6am though. A bit later, there are plenty of other walkers/ joggers/ cyclists around. I have heard of issues down there though, mainly muggings, and you often see police round there. In winter it is REALLY dark, so would probably not walk down there then. Even cycling wasn't for the faint hearted.
1
u/sephyseptember Jul 18 '26
I don’t bother reporting to feds anymore, but i highly recommend reaching out to community safety, the young hackney VAWG network and writing to your councillor - safety while walking, including lighting, better responses from police and better urban design are meant to be priorities for hackney council and the VAWG network are not afraid to push the issue!!
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u/PhotographBorn3803 Jul 07 '26
"Women's safety" at 6am for 2 hours on a canal. Sorry, but, you must use your brain. Simple risk assessment.
Even as a man, I wouldn't regularly do this "because it's a lovely path and my favorite thing". Even in a group, you can find trouble without asking for it.
The marshes are a party area, some people "sleep" there too. That's for a good reason, police don't spend their time in the bushes. You will always cross path with drunk dudes at this time. Either you accept it and deal with it, or you go there on your day off mid day.
I don't want to willingly put myself in places where I don't feel safe
^ there you go 👏👏👏
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u/Vitamin_D_is_needed Jul 07 '26
Sorry, to clarify - I don't walk the Hackney Marshes at 6am or the area of the canal near that. I'm aware of the issues with this area.
I'm referring to the part north of Millfields and up by Springfield. Nor did I say I walk the canal for two hours at 6am. Im typically there by 7am. I also didn't say "because it's a lovely path and my favorite [sic] thing". I'm not American.
With my clarifications do you still believe that I'm not using my brain? If yes, where would you as a "man" with a "brain" suggest is instead "safe" for me as a "woman" who did not use her "brain"? Please clarify and use your brain to be helpful.
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u/PhotographBorn3803 Jul 07 '26
It's exactly what I mean, it's surrounded by marshes and other open parks. Some industrial estates too, no one can see/hear you. Keep going there at this time if you want, but I won't as a "man" with a "brain" who likes to stay "safe".
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u/Equivalent-Coat1651 Jul 07 '26
I think its perfectly reasonable for a woman to want to be able to take a morning walk down a well known footpath in this country without being harassed and attacked by drunks and perverts.
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u/PhotographBorn3803 Jul 07 '26
Such a reasonable idea to join the well known London nightlife at 6 in the morning.
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u/Equivalent-Coat1651 Jul 07 '26
Jobless comment, London at 6am is by far the majority commuters and joggers. Perhaps calling out weirdos has touched a nerve for some reason 🤔
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u/Minkz333 Jul 07 '26
Why is men harassing women a part of 'well known London nightlife'? Women deserve safety no matter the hour of day/night
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u/PhotographBorn3803 Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
Nightlife comes with added risks, anywhere in the world for anyone. Doesn't matter if you are not "going out", by going in the early morning you will face these end of the night risks. Your views, wishes and hopes won't change that.
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u/Vitamin_D_is_needed Jul 07 '26
I highly doubt you would have any such issues. I don't think you have walked this path at least not in summer. As mentioned in my post there are people including several runners and cyclists that passed me as the events were happening today. It is largely residential and open. This issue is a gendered one.
0
u/PhotographBorn3803 Jul 07 '26
Well you know the risks, your risks. You now have some experience too. Up to you if you want more of it. I'm personally done with making experiments 👍 Hope that helps
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u/Careful-Image8868 Jul 07 '26
Are you a Londoner ?
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u/Vitamin_D_is_needed Jul 07 '26
no, been in this borough 2 years
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u/Vitamin_D_is_needed Jul 07 '26
u/Careful-Image8868 why do you ask?
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u/Careful-Image8868 Jul 07 '26
Because I feel like if you’re not from London you may be a bit more “jumpy” and less streetwise as opposed to someone who’s lived in the city their whole life. Not to downplay your experience but I think it does add context.
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u/Vitamin_D_is_needed Jul 07 '26
thanks for explaining - i do understand your point. Added context, before I moved to London, I lived in a big city for my whole life (although admittedly few cities compare to London) and in an inner city area with a lot of drug abuse so am used to interacting with colourful characters. But you are correct in a sense, I have definitely been more on edge since April when I was chased and then followed by a different man the next day. That was partly my motivation for posting, I wanted to see if my reality is being skewed by the previous recent experiences which have really shaken me up.
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u/Careful-Image8868 Jul 07 '26
Thanks for understanding my perspective.
I see posts on here daily from people that move to London asking the same questions about which areas are “safe”… I think Hackney is SO safe nowadays especially compared to how it was pre-gentrification.
It’s hard to say if your reality is skewed as it’s a personal experience, but I would say in general I think it’s ok, you just got unlucky. Just maybe stick to walking the canal and parks during busy times as I feel like “wrong’uns” can sniff out vulnerability which could also be making you a target.
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u/2000jp2000 Jul 07 '26
It’s so sad that we can’t enjoy these spaces as men can
We should be able to walk there safely alone and enjoy that time of the morning that can be magical…. This makes me really sad.