An emergency phone line ready to be launched in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard - which aimed to protect lone women - has been binned.
Telecommunications giant BT's proposal was put forward in September 2021 to help women who felt vulnerable walking alone feel safe.
The 888 service would have tracked their journeys and triggered an alert if they failed to reach home.
Former Home Secretary Priti Patel approved the 'innovative scheme' and said it would be good to 'get going as soon as we can'.
BT CEO Philip Jansen said it might cost as little as £50 million and previously claimed it could be up and running by Christmas 2021.
But the idea has now been shelved, it has been reported.
HuffPostUK claimed the idea was been scrapped as the government was slammed for putting 'gimmicks and headline chasing ahead of safety.
A BT spokesperson said: “It became clear over the course of our work that it does not make sense, as we thought initially, to launch a new BT service, but rather to share our learnings for the wider benefit of others already working on this.”
Labour’s Jess Phillips, shadow minister for domestic abuse and safeguarding, said: “Again and again, this Conservative government put gimmicks and headline chasing above the hard work needed to tackle the epidemic of violence against women and girls.
“This helpline was never a serious plan and it is telling of the Conservative's weakness that they supported it in the first place.”
She said the next Labour government’s mission is to halve levels of violence against women and girls within a decade.
A BT spokesperson stated their objective was to see how they could lend their expertise to help women’s safety and that they have found a “rich ecosystem” of services and apps that are available.
They said BT would continue to offer to help support the cause and is currently working with other leaders, adding: “Anyone that is concerned about their personal safety should continue to dial 999. Our operators are highly trained, know how to listen for issues even if it is a ‘silent’ call, and will be able to route through to the police if and as needed.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The 888 phone line for women was a BT project, not a government scheme. We are committed to tackling all forms of violence against women and girls.
"We have so far allocated £125million to communities across England and Wales to invest in measures including improved street lighting and CCTV, and street marshals.
“We are also supporting the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Bill, which will ensure that the criminals who intimidate and harass women face the consequences.”
