Otley Run pub crawl crossbow violence raises misogyny concerns

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.

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.

“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?”

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”.

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.

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.

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.