Not safe on the Nottingham towpaths

Published: Thursday, 03 July 2025

THE LEADER OF the Nottingham running group, These Girls Run, Phoebe Lake, now avoids the canal towpaths altogether.

As two of its members were targeted on the Nottingham towpath, Janet Friend reports.

PhoebeLakeWith Phoebe, who lives in Nottingham telling:

"I don't run alone down the canal because if you start being followed, how do you escape?"

Avoiding the towpaths

The group meets twice a week at locations across the city centre, but they have started avoiding certain routes on the towpaths 'to keep members safe' after two alarming incidents against women in recent months targeted on the towpath.

Just over a week ago, a man was charged with raping and sexually assaulting a 19 years old girl on Canal Street in an alleyway off the canal.

And in January, a woman in her 40s was assaulted and robbed in broad daylight while walking along the canal towpath by Nottingham Crown Court, Phoebe telling:

Told the girls to stay away

"The canal used to be one of our regular running spots, especially in the summer, but after what has happened recently, I've told the girls to stay away from the area for their own safety.

"There's no clear escape if you are being followed, and the canals are often isolated and poorly lit, making it hard to get help.

"It's a shame. Our canals are beautiful and we want to enjoy them."

Phoebe is now calling on the authorities to do more to make towpaths safer.