Almost three quarters of Brits feel unsafe in their city at night
83% of individuals within the LGBTQ+ community have felt threatened or intimidated while walking down the street.
65% of people from mixed or multiple ethnic backgrounds believe safety has worsened over the past 12 months, despite ongoing national conversations.
Significantly, over half (54%) of respondents state that their ethnicity or sexual orientation directly impacts how safe they feel.
Freenow passengers can now round up their fare via the app to donate to Stop Hate UK.
LONDON – 17th September: New research from London’s leading taxi app, Freenow by Lyft, reveals that 73% of people across the UK feel unsafe in their city or town at night. Shockingly, Brits report experiencing unwanted physical attention from a stranger more than once a month on average and in the past six months alone, nearly half of women (48%) say they have felt uncomfortable due to someone walking closely behind them on the street.
The demand for safer travel is clear, as almost three quarters (74%) say the availability of safe transport influences their decision to stay out later or leave early – with 59% of respondents saying they have left a night out early to avoid going home in the dark.
To address these escalating safety concerns impacting nightlife across the UK, Freenow by Lyft has partnered with Stop Hate UK, a charity combating discrimination. Stop Hate UK are working closely with Freenow by Lyft to promote safer travel, including training Freenow drivers on how to spot and respond to safety concerns of passengers and discrimination. Additionally, Freenow by Lyft has teamed up with Little Door & Co, a London-based hospitality company, on a “round-up” feature for Stop Hate UK, letting passengers and bar-goers round up their fare or tab. This partnership will allow drivers to access training to prevent discrimination and promote safe travel home for Londoners.
Safety worries are directly impacting nightlife:
Among young people, 86% admit to feeling nervous going home alone after a night out
70% have stayed out later than planned simply to avoid walking home alone.
54% stated that their ethnicity or sexual orientation has a direct impact on how safe they feel.
65% of people from mixed or multiple ethnic backgrounds reported that over the past year, safety has worsened.
Passengers are increasingly demanding safety features when using transport at night. 68% say the ability to track their journey in real time increases their sense of security, and 33% share their live location with friends or family. When it comes to preferred modes of transport, 47% of people perceive black cabs as safer than other options, with one quarter of queer respondents specifically choosing black cabs for safe journeys home after a night out.
A Collaborative Approach to Safer Nightlife
To directly address these critical issues, Freenow by Lyft is working with Stop Hate UK and Little Door & Co, London’s house-party themed bars and restaurants, to promote safer journeys home. The initiative emphasises practical safety measures on a night out, such as journey tracking, sharing driver details, and raising awareness of harassment prevention, while supporting London’s vibrant nighttime economy.
This approach responds to research showing 36% of respondents would feel safer with additional measures, combining education, awareness, and community collaboration to create a more secure environment for passengers and hospitality staff alike.
Danny O’Gorman, UKI General Manager at Freenow, comments: “Our research reveals just how widespread the issue of public safety is. We want to make it easier for everyone to get out and enjoy what their city has to offer, knowing they can get home safely. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Stop Hate UK and venues like Little Door and Co to create a more inclusive, supportive nightlife culture.”
Rose Simkins, Chief Executive of Stop Hate UK adds:“Everyone deserves to feel safe in public spaces - whether that’s during the day or on a night out. Sadly, this research shows that anxiety and vulnerability are still very real, especially among certain groups. Through our partnership with Freenow and the unique training we’ve delivered for drivers, we’re aiming to raise awareness and support those affected by hate crime. The funds raised will be pivotal in allowing us to develop an app exclusive platform to ensure that people can access support wherever they are.”
Jamie Hazeel, Managing Director and Co-founder at Little Door & Co said: “We are incredibly proud to be the chosen hospitality partner for Stop Hate UK and Freenow - and to highlight just how important safety is on a night out to bars like ours. After 10 years pioneering our house party brand, we’ve always strived to create venues which are fun, welcoming & safe. In fact, it cuts to the heart of our unique brand of hospitality - how can we make people feel like they’ve been welcomed into a home if they don’t also feel secure enjoying a night out?
Safe Late-Night travel is integral to a nighttime economy - a suffering segment of our Industry which we vocally and passionately support. Through this partnership, we hope to amplify the vital role of safe transport options and the work that Stop Hate UK does supporting local communities. It’s such an integral part of making sure late night economies can thrive - and we don’t continue to risk hugely valuable parts of our city’s culture.”
Overall, the public demand for action is overwhelming; nearly all (93%) people believe the government and local authorities should be doing more to improve safety at night.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
This research of 2,000 Brits was commissioned by Freenow and conducted by Perspectus Global in March 2025.
The Round Up to Donate feature will continue to support Stop Hate UK and Freenow Passengers can select the option to donate when booking their trip, before their next trip or while travelling to their destination by selecting the Round Up and Donate option in the Freenow app.
About Freenow by Lyft
Freenow by Lyft is the European taxi app featuring broad multi-mobility options for everyone across 9 European markets and over 180 cities. Millions of passengers can access various mobility services within a single app, including taxis, private hire vehicles, carsharing, car rental, e-scooters, e-bikes, e-mopeds and public transport. With headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, Freenow is led by CEO Thomas Zimmermann.
In July 2025, Freenow was acquired by Lyft, a global mobility platform offering a mix of rideshare, taxis, private hire vehicles, car sharing, bikes, and scooters across 4 continents and nearly 1,000 cities. Millions of drivers have chosen to earn on billions of rides. Together, Freenow and Lyft are helping to create a more connected world, with transportation options for everyone.
Visit our website for further information and download the Freenow app.