Women in London have challenged the Home Secretary after she said she "wouldn't walk around Hackney at midnight" alone.

In Hackney, where Jacqui Smith said she would not feel safe, Cyreta James, 22, a student, said: "I don't think Jacqui Smith is in a position to say anything until she comes up here to see things for herself.

"There's a real sense of community, more police on the streets and people are very vigilant." Emma Hodson, 26, a design studio manager, said: "Safety is a problem everywhere in London so I think it's unfair for Jacqui Smith to pinpoint Hackney because it gives it a bad reputation."

Jody Whitehill, 27, a press officer, said: "I feel safe where I live in Dalston and on night buses all the time, although I wouldn't walk down 'Murder Mile' [Clapton] late at night." But Brazilian film producer Joana Rhodes, 27, said: "Two men grabbed me and took my Prada handbag last year. I'm from Rio, which is supposed to be bad but I never had problems there. I would say Hackney is far more dangerous."

In Kensington, which Mrs Smith also felt was a dangerous area, Suzie Figueiredo, 24, an office manager, said: "I wouldn't believe a thing she says. This area has to be one of the safest in London."

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