A protest calling for an 'unsafe' alleyway near Headingley Stadium to be closed following rumours of sexual assaults will take place on Friday.
Leeds students and residents will come together to demonstrate as more than 8,000 have already backed a petition calling for extra safety measures, pleading with Leeds City Council to take action.
The petition claims students have reported a number of alleged attacks in the area of the alleyway in Headingley in recent years.
However, a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said a rumoured incident on October 22 has not been reported to them, despite several claims on social media.
The demonstration will be held this Friday at 12pm and aims to be a safe, socially-distanced gathering at the alleyway raising awareness of women's safety.
In the petition's description, Bethany writes: "The alley that is located next to the Headingley Stadium has had several cases of sexual violence and assault.
"Women who walk down this alley are unsafe as they have been targeted for many years.
"I feel that something needs to be dramatically changed.
"Some form of safety procedure needs to be implemented in this alley so women are not at the hands of this dreadful abuse. No woman should ever feel like they are in fear whilst walking.
"I think it’s time we all came together to raise awareness.
"IT IS TIME THAT WOMEN FEEL SAFE."
University of Leeds student Dani Butler, 24, was the victim of a terrifying incident in the alleyway a couple of years ago.
She said: "I was chased through there a couple of years ago.
"I got to the halfway point and I could hear a load of men shouting and laughing. I was constantly looking around, but then I turned around and two men were right behind me.
"They started laughing. They didn't hurt me, but they wanted to scare me.
"I didn't report it because I wasn't physically harmed, but that's endemic of society. People are told to just brush things like that under the carpet.
"Since then, there have been more sinister attacks [on other people]."
Dani is part of a campaign group which is now calling for the alleyway to be closed following a recent alleged attack.
"It's horrible that it's still happening," she said. "What happened to me was nothing compared to what others have gone through. It's horrific.
"It makes me sick to the stomach.
"We want the alleyway closed completely. It's just not safe for anyone. It probably does make things more accessible, but it's opportunistic as hell for any dodgy people around."
Dani will be one of the hundreds of people expected to demonstrate to the council on Friday afternoon.
You can sign the petition here.
West Yorkshire Police have said that they are aware of a rumour, but have received no reports of any sexual assault.
A spokesperson from WYP said: "Police are aware of rumour on social media regarding a sexual assault occurring on an alleyway between St Michael’s Lane and Kirkstall Lane on October 22, and of other offences there.
"No such offence has been reported to West Yorkshire Police on this date at this location and we are not aware of any other similar offences there in recent weeks.
"An earlier incident was reported to police on September 27 and required a scene to be cordoned off in an alleyway that runs between Kirkstall Lane and St Michael’s Lane, Headingley.
"That incident was fully investigated and the report was found to be uncorroborated at this time. The police are continuing with their enquiries with regards to the matter."
