WalkSafe app reveals the most dangerous places to walk in York

The WalkSafe app pins locations of reported crime, such as sexual assault, mugging and knife crime, by using police data. 

It surged to the top of the download charts in the wake of Sarah Everard’s death and discussions around male violence against women.

Co-founder Emma Kay was compelled to create the app due to her own experiences of harassment.

"Our ultimate goal was, even if it saves one person from a difficult situation then it will all be worth it and that's really what drives us," Emma said.

How does WalkSafe work?

Anyone can download the app via the App Store for iPhones or Google Play Store for Android phones.

The WalkSafe map shows reports of crime taken from monthly police reports in the area, including sexual assault, mugging, knife crime, and pickpocketing.

It shows you how many crimes have been reported in the area- and also how long ago it was reported.

WalkSafe automatically alerts you when you walk near these dangers.

It uses data published via police.uk with the app refreshing the map twice per week. 

This is what the coloured dots on the app mean:

• Red – violence/sexual assault
• Black – knife crime
• Light Blue – feeling unsafe
• Yellow – mugging

The colours on the TapSafe feature will change depending on the time of day, allowing for discreet use at night time reducing the risk of alerting a potential attacker.

As well as police reports, the app also allows people to record when they ‘feel unsafe’. The user can report anything from rowdy groups of people, drunks, if there is a police presence and even if the area is poorly lit.

Another feature allows people to tap the app every so often while they walk home, sending an alert to a loved one if they do not tap within the set time.

Users can also check in with others and let the app send an automatic notification to friends when they have reached their destination.

The app is free and there are no in app purchases either.

Crime reported on the streets of York - a quick round-up

Davygate, York city centre - Violence/sexual assault

End of George Hudson Street, Rougier Street, York city centre - Violence/sexual assault

Station Rise, York city centre - Knife crime

Dale St, York city centre - Violence/sexual assault

Caesar Ct, York city centre - Violence/sexual assault

Cambridge St, York city centre - Violence/sexual assault

Clarence St, York city centre - Violence/sexual assault

Towards Clifton

Lowther St, York city centre - Violence/sexual assault

Lister Way - Violence/sexual assault

Cromer St - Violence/sexual assault

Burton Green - Violence/sexual assault

How the Walksafe app looks on your phone, pictured

New Earswick

Oak Tree Grove - Violence/sexual assault

Haxby Road - Violence/sexual assault

Huntington

Blackthorn Drive - Violence/sexual assault

Earswick

Stablers Walk - Violence/sexual assault

Wigginton

Little Meadows - Violence/sexual assault

Fletcher Court - Violence/sexual assault

Corban Way - Violence/sexual assault

Cyprus Grove - Violence/sexual assault

Heworth

Redgrave Close - Knife crime

Muncastergate - Violence/Sexual assault

Tang Hall

Sterne Ave - Violence/sexual assault

Layerthorpe

Hewley Ave - Violence/sexual assault

Alcuin Ave - Violence/sexual assault

Fulford

Fulford Rd - Violence/sexual assault (reports along this stretch)

Glen Close - Violence/sexual assault

Naburn

Naburn Park Mews - Violence/sexual assault

Colton

Old Lane Court - Violence/sexual assault

Dringhouses

Academy Drive - Violence/sexual assault

Deepdale - Violence/sexual assault

Wain's Road - Violence/sexual assault

Dringfield Close - Knife crime

Thanet Road - Violence/sexual assault

Acomb

Gladstone St - Violence/sexual assault

Beaconsfield Mews - Violence/sexual assault

Gale Lane - Knife crime

Chapelfields

Bramham Road - Violence/sexual assault

Brindle Way - Violence/sexual assault

Chapelfields Rd - Violence/sexual assault

Branton Place - Violence/sexual assault

Nether Poppleton and Upper Poppleton

Fairway Drive - Violence/sexual assault

Montague Walk - Violence/sexual assault

Skelton

Gregory Close - Violence/sexual assault

If you want to download the app for yourself, you can do so via your phone's app store.