Otley Run: Crossbow violence in Leeds raises misogyny concerns

BBC News

03-05-2025

A week after two women were injured in a crossbow attack on the route of the popular Otley Run pub crawl in Leeds, the area is beginning to return to normal. The emergency vehicles are gone, the police tape has been taken down, but for those who call Headingley home - how do they feel seven days on?
"We did not really believe what was happening at first," student Christi King told the BBC.Two women aged 19 and 31 were rushed to hospital, with the younger woman undergoing surgery for life-threatening injuries.Ms King, 21, was at home nearby when the attack began at about 14:45 BST on Otley Road. Just hours before, Owen Lawrence - the 38-year-old man later named as the key suspect - 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. "It is sad that girls cannot just go out and feel safe," said Ms King.
The two injured women have since been discharged from hospital.Ms King said the attack had made her "even more aware" of her surroundings."As a woman, you already are aware," she said. "Violence against women is rising and people need to wake up to that." In light of the attack, she would like to see further education for young men on the subject. "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 took place. "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".
Leeds Conservatoire graduate Iwan Grant, 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 remain 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. "Life seems to be going on, but we are all thinking of the women hurt," said 25-year-old Tim Brown."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."
The nearby St Michael and All Angels' Church is opening its doors to provide comfort for anyone still 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."Mr Eames added that despite people being "shaken up" by the incident, it would not stop locals from "living their lives".
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