Pub crawl crossbow violence raises misogyny concerns

Andrew Barton
BBC News, Yorkshire
Elizabeth Baines & Olivia Courtney-Ashton
BBC/Grace Wood A group of young men and women wearing fancy dress costumes, including superhero outfits, masks and painted facesBBC/Grace Wood
Students wear fancy dress during the Otley Run pub crawl on Saturday, a week after a crossbow attack. Max Hut (second from right) said he felt reassured by an increased police presence

A week after two women were injured in a crossbow attack on the route of the Otley Run pub crawl in Leeds, people have been returning to the bars in force.

The emergency vehicles are gone, the police tape has been taken down and students could be seen wearing fancy dress and in high spirits on Saturday.

But while the area is returning to normal, there are mixed feelings among residents and revellers alike, with some expressing fears about a rise in misogyny and violence against women.

A 19-year-old woman underwent surgery for life-threatening injuries following the attack on 26 April, while a 31-year-old woman was also taken to hospital. Both have been discharged.

Owen Lawrence – the 38-year-old man later named as the key suspect in the attack – had posted a hate-filled online manifesto describing the planned violence as "misogynistic rage".

He was arrested at the scene and later died in hospital from self-inflicted injuries.

Some bar-goers who spoke to the BBC earlier said they had been "apprehensive" about returning to the pub crawl, but felt safe thanks to a show of strength by the police.

BBC/Grace Wood A group of young women in fancy dress standing outside a pub, one is dressed as a dolphin, others as strawberriesBBC/Grace Wood
Sophie Barraclough (left) wears fancy dress as part of birthday celebrations with friends

Sophie Barraclough, an 18-year-old student at the University of Leeds, said a friend had been in a pub not far from the place of the attack in Otley Road.

"What happened is really tragic and really sad, but if everyone keeps a watch out – and it's good to see all the police around – it makes me feel safer," she said.

"The Otley Run is a lot of fun. It's a classic thing to do when you're in Leeds and all my friends from Newcastle have come."

Max Hut, a 19-year-old student who was taking part in the pub crawl for the first time, said he thought this week "would be the safest it's ever going to be" because of the police presence.

But for art student Jess Anderson, 20, the incident had "brought it close to home that there is actually a rise in violence against women".

She said she enjoyed dressing up for the pub crawl and being with the people she loved, but was "concerned there might be copycat people".

Her views were shared by student Christi King, 21, who lives in Headingley and said the attack had made her "even more aware" of her surroundings.

BBC/Elizabeth Baines A student in the Leeds suburb of Headingley. She has brown hair and a red brick building is blurred behind her.BBC/Elizabeth Baines
Christi King says boys are being "roped into" false ideas about women

"We did not really believe what was happening at first," Ms King said. "It is sad that girls cannot just go out and feel safe."

"Violence against women is rising and people need to wake up to that."

She would like to see further education for young men on the issue.

"We are seeing a rise [in misogyny] on social media specifically targeting younger boys," she said.

"They are getting roped into these ideas about women which are completely false, so what is being done to make sure women are safe?"

BBC/Elizabeth Baines A woman with short brown hair smiles. She is wearing a grey strappy top and a necklace. Behind her a row of shops is blurred.BBC/Elizabeth Baines
Kate Morris says women have to think about threats when going on nights out

Kate Morris, 23, had been planning to take part in the Otley Run when the attack happened.

"I think we will try our best to not let it affect us," Ms Morris said.

"As much as this is horrifying, when we go out we always have to think about threats.

"We still have to think about walking home - these people do exist."

Following the attack, Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin moved to reassure women and girls and called their safety "a top priority".

BBC/Elizabeth Baines A man with brown hair and blue eyes wears a navy and white striped top. He has green backpack straps on his shoulders and a silver necklace. Behind him, trees are blurred.BBC/Elizabeth Baines
Iwan Grant says "armies of police" patrolled the streets last Saturday

Iwan Grant, a graduate of Leeds Conservatoire who has lived in Headingley for three years, said the event was "an attack on the way of life" in the suburb.

"I literally live on the road where it happened, that does not happen here," the 24-year-old said.

Despite the attack, which saw "armies of police" patrolling the streets, he said his social circle felt safe.

"That is not something that is going to change," he said.

BBC/Cathy Killick A police cordon cuts across Otley Road in Headingley. Police officer in high visibility jackets are stationed on the road. Three police vehicles are parked on the road. A tree stands in front of a line of shop fronts behind.BBC/Cathy Killick
Police cordon off the area following the attack

An increased police presence in Headingley has been in place in an attempt to reassure those living, working, studying or visiting the area.

Ch Supt Steve Dodds, Leeds District Commander, said this would continue over the coming days "both on the streets and around key events in the community".

West Yorkshire Police was "absolutely committed to making sure that people feel safe to go about their daily lives in the area", he added.

Another resident, 25-year-old Tim Brown, said life was going on, but "we are all thinking of the women hurt".

"There are plenty of big community events and people have not seemed too fussed, but there is the wider issue of femicide that needs tackling," he added.

BBC/Elizabeth Baines A man with long blonde hair wears a blue shirt and a blue backpack. He has a moustache. Behind him, a row of a shops are blurred.BBC/Elizabeth Baines
Tim Brown is concerned about attempts to radicalise young men online

The nearby St Michael and All Angels' Church has opened its doors to provide comfort for anyone feeling concerned.

James Eames, who was working at a hair salon on Otley Road at the time of the attack, said: "Social media forces people to live in bubbles, people fall down a pit and it is hard to get out of."

The 25-year-old raised concerns about online echo chambers reinforcing extreme views.

"On your phone you could see another bloke that backs a theory about women, but it comes from this idea of women that is not the real world," he said. "Technology has to be able to tackle that."

People had been "shaken up" by the incident, but it would not stop them from "living their lives", he added.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.