On White Ribbon day, the national day calling for an end to violence against women and girls Swindon Borough Councillors voted unanimously to support a call for the authority to do more.

The motion put forward by Conservative councillor Kate Tomlinson and seconded by her colleague Jo Morris calls for the authority to use its existing powers, particularly as a licensing authority, to increase protection and support to women and girls.

Coun Tomlinson said: "It's a given for every women out at night to be taking measures like phoning or texting when they get home or carrying keys in their hand when walking. Women and girls need to be able to walk the streets without fear."

The motion calls for more publicity for the Ask for Angela scheme in pubs and clubs and for increased training for staff and doorstaff to be able to recognise women at risk of harassment or violence and provide appropriate support.

This motion follows a Labour motion earlier this year which called for misogyny to be reportable as a hate crime which also passed unanimously.