More than 300 supporters have helped a Newcastle women’s safety initiative reach their £10,000 crowdfunding target to ensure women are able to get home safely after nights out.

Women’s Street Watch Ncl (WSW Ncl) is an independent initiative set up by a group of friends in Newcastle to “reduce instances of sexual violence and harassment against women, especially young students travelling home from nights out”.

They have gained 18,000 followers on Instagram in one month, reached their £10,000 crowdfunder goal in early November after 306 supporters backed them within 28 days.

The money will be spent on a minibus to serve as a taxi to help girls get home safe. They currently have 50 regular volunteers and 350 more who are waiting for training to join the team.

WSW Ncl has been patrolling the streets in the city centre most nights from 10pm-4am assisting women home to student accommodation and housing in Jesmond, Sandyford, Heaton and elsewhere.

Jesmond resident and Newcastle University student Billie Tierney told JesmondLocal: “Taxis are incredibly hard to get in Newcastle at the moment, this means prices are ridiculously high. What used to be around a £6 taxi home from town to Jesmond is now £25 minimum; this means lots of us females are walking home sometimes alone.

“As women, we are always aware of this risk of walking home late at night but when prices are that high there is no other option. That’s why when I heard of Women’s Street Watch Ncl I thought it was such a great initiative to help girls get home safe after nights out, especially in today’s climate on sexual harassment.”

The group has had talks with Blueline Taxis about a potential partnership.

Tom Shanks, finance director of Blueline Taxis, said: “There is a labour shortage across the taxi market and this isn’t just in Newcastle – this is a national problem. This has caused an overdemand for taxis and a lack of supply.

“Taxis are the only form of transport that operates 24/7, so it’s really important that taxis are central to any conversation here around getting women home safely, especially during night time economy,” Shanks added.

Shanks said he was moved to act because of experiences his friends had encountered in the past. “It was just something that I thought was really important that we helped with,” he explained, “I loved [WSW Ncl’s] idea and if they were to partner with someone I thought we were best placed in terms of operational capacity, but also our morals and values.”

WSW Ncl has listed their main priorities as provide training and qualifications, reduce strain on emergency services and reduce instances of sexual violence and harassment against women by offering a physical presence on the streets. The group did not respond to request to comment.

WSW Ncl now has a phone number you can contact if you require assistance: 0757 050 3485. Alternatively, you can find them on Instagram on @womensstreetwatchncl. Additionally, if you would like to support the organisation you can donate to their Amazon wishlist at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3EDX09QEY5EY9?ref_=wl_share