Tooting MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan is urging businesses to sign up to a new initiative that will provide 'safe spaces' for women and girls.

The idea is that these businesses will offer a space that women and girls can go into if they feel unsafe outside to call the police or charge their phones.

Allin-Khan has started the scheme, hoping that businesses from Balham, Earlsfield, Furzedown and Tooting will all sign up.

The scheme comes in the wake of the death of Sarah Everard, who was murdered while walking home in Clapham in March.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said: "Women and girls deserve to feel safe on our streets.

"The Government are failing to enforce existing laws, dismissing Labour's calls for new legislation to protect women and girls, and are without a strategy to tackle the misogynistic attitudes that underpin the abuse women face.

"Now is the time to put in long-overdue protections for women and girls, but the Government isn't taking this issue seriously.

"I want Balham, Earlsfield, Furzedown and Tooting to be a safe space.

"With darker nights fast approaching, I'm calling on local businesses to sign up and be a Safe Space where women and girls know they can pop in when they feel unsafe walking home, charge their phone, or even make a call to the police."

A number of businesses have already signed up, such as The Grove and Love Triangle in Balham.

To find out more about the campaign, or sign up your business, you can do so by going by going to the 'Safe Space Campaign' section of Dr Rosena's website.

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