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Women attacked in city parks
8:24am Wednesday 3rd September 2008
Comments (65)DETECTIVES are investigating two more sex attacks on women walking through Southampton parks.
Both incidents happened in the early hours and police are not ruling out a link between them.
The incidents have once again prompted warnings for women not to walk alone at night - and if they have to, to stick to well-lit routes and walk in pairs or groups.
Officers have also urged women not to drink too much alcohol. This would enable them to remain alert to what is happening around them.
A 19-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in Watts Park, Southampton, during the early hours of Saturday, August 30.
A man, described as black and around 5ft 10in, approached the woman between 1.30am and 2.30am and asked her for a cigarette. He then sexually assaulted her before running off.
It is thought someone may have disturbed the man during the attack and officers are now asking for that person to come forward and contact them.
The second incident happened in nearby Palmerston Park between 3am and 3.40am the following day.
The park was the scene of two separate rapes involving women, aged 19 and 26, in recent months.
Officers have received reports from witnesses about the incident but the woman herself has not come forward.
Detectives are now asking for her to contact them so they can further investigate what happened.
Detective Constable Gary Steward said: "When these type of attacks do happen we take them very seriously.
"Though most people enjoy a night out in Southampton without any problems I'd like to offer this general advice about how they can minimise any risk: People should stick to well-lit routes and either walk with friends, or where there are lots of other people around.
"It is also a good idea for people to moderate the amount of alcohol they drink as this will help them to be more alert to what is going on around them and they are then less likely to become a victim."
l A 23-year-old man was arrested in connection with the sexual assault in Watts Park and has since been released on bail until Monday, October 20.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
Your Say YourEcho
RACHAEL, EASTLEIGH says...
8:58am Wed 3 Sep 08
SJ, Woolston says...
8:59am Wed 3 Sep 08
shoong, says...
9:12am Wed 3 Sep 08
GL, Hants says...
9:29am Wed 3 Sep 08
If you put yourself in front of a bus you should expect to get run over. So if you insist on walking alone through an unlit park at 2.30 am, don't be surprised if you are sexually assaulted.
I will probably receive lots of hate comments from women wanting to uphold their rights, but common sense must prevail and, as an old saying goes, there is safety in numbers.
And why do so many young women have to dress provocatively when going out for a night of clubbing?
I'm not condoning the assaults, but some fashion choices do suggest that women are simply saying "come and get me .. I'm all yours".
me, says...
9:38am Wed 3 Sep 08
hulla, baloo says...
9:42am Wed 3 Sep 08
GL wrote:I agree, to a point, but there should not be any areas where it is not safe to be.
I'm sorry, but these women only have themselves to blame. If you put yourself in front of a bus you should expect to get run over. So if you insist on walking alone through an unlit park at 2.30 am, don't be surprised if you are sexually assaulted. I will probably receive lots of hate comments from women wanting to uphold their rights, but common sense must prevail and, as an old saying goes, there is safety in numbers. And why do so many young women have to dress provocatively when going out for a night of clubbing? I'm not condoning the assaults, but some fashion choices do suggest that women are simply saying "come and get me .. I'm all yours".
Unfortunately the judiciary through their sentencing, along with the bean counters in the POlice and councils, have seen fit to reduce their budgets and effectively lower the protection given to law abiding citizens going about their lives.
Supporter since 1953, Southampton says...
9:44am Wed 3 Sep 08
Marsha, says...
9:48am Wed 3 Sep 08
d, Soton says...
9:57am Wed 3 Sep 08
And GL, let's hope that none of your female friends or relatives ever suffers an assault - I am not sure they would appreciate being told by you that it was their own fault for the way they dressed or their choice of route home.
Christoff, says...
9:58am Wed 3 Sep 08
shoong wrote:I reckon about 7 more should do it.
How many attacks is it going to take to convince the women of Southampton not to walk alone in the early hours of the morning?
helsbels, canary's says...
10:01am Wed 3 Sep 08
gorf, soton says...
10:04am Wed 3 Sep 08
haha
what a joke even thinking about giving southampton parks green safety flags
Dr Alimantado, says...
10:05am Wed 3 Sep 08
Supporter since 1953 wrote:yes, they SHOULD be able to but in this society they can't. Women need to apply common sense here and look after themselves.
Sorry, don't agree with most of these posts. If these girls want to stagger through the parks in the middle of the night, they should do so without risk of assault. Nice to know that our legal system grants bail for a case of sexual assault, but there again these days it's better to be sorry than safe.
Women are always banging on about having greater intelligence than men yet they still think they will be ok to walk alone late at night through parks notorious for sexual attacks.
I am not for one minute saying that they deserve it due to how they dress or how much they have drunk, because they don't.
This is not the time for women's rights etc, this about making sure you don't get raped.
Use your heads girls
Shoon, says...
10:23am Wed 3 Sep 08
Supporter since 1953 wrote:In an ideal world, sexual assaults wouldn't happen. But it isn't so they do.
Sorry, don't agree with most of these posts. If these girls want to stagger through the parks in the middle of the night, they should do so without risk of assault. Nice to know that our legal system grants bail for a case of sexual assault, but there again these days it's better to be sorry than safe.
Looking after yourself usually prevents bad things happening to you in my experience.
Marsha, says...
10:25am Wed 3 Sep 08
should we now say that all men should be banned from drinking and at home by 6.30pm so that women feel safe when they are out?
Common sense, Southampton says...
10:36am Wed 3 Sep 08
as i said i do feel for these girls but Its common sense not to walk alone across the park-get a cab or stay at a friends house and walk with them.Its been well documented that the parks are not safe
sharon, southampton says...
10:37am Wed 3 Sep 08
Dr Alimantado, says...
10:38am Wed 3 Sep 08
Marsha wrote:You could try it but would women then bother going out as much without us chaps to charm them? ;-
Dr A makes sense - but ....... try turning things on their head a bit. should we now say that all men should be banned from drinking and at home by 6.30pm so that women feel safe when they are out?
Cabbage Face, The Saints Web says...
11:02am Wed 3 Sep 08
the vengeful cabbage, says...
11:05am Wed 3 Sep 08
sharon wrote:Waste of space CCTV it needs light to work and these attacks happen in dark areas. Also any circumstantial eveidence collected by cctv is difficult to get heard at a trial and is too easy to cast doubt over as evidence esp in a crimnal trial. Much better for the council to spen out for a good set of iron railings and make all the parks in Soton gated that way women (and men) have to use well lit paths. This approach has been adopted sucessfully in many other cities as it stops the drunken dolts wandering through a dark park whilst pulling at the hem of a dress.
get cctv around the park areas there are too many rapes going on!!!!
bilbo baggins, says...
11:09am Wed 3 Sep 08
Why on earth haven't they got CCTV covering the parks ???
Creature Void of Form, says...
11:21am Wed 3 Sep 08
Used ot live elsewhere and they locked the parks, no problems.
kaylee, southampton says...
12:52pm Wed 3 Sep 08
shoong wrote:I agree with some things you are saying... why would girls walk through parks on there own late at night... doesnt make sense but then on the other hand because what they were is revealing this should make them a target for being raped or sexually assulted... why does it make a difference what you wear.. girls should be able to wear what they want and still be safe walking around their own town!! another fact a older lady could be walking through a dark park late at night wearing a coat wellys and jeans maybe a hat and it wouldnt make a difference to the rapist.. do you really think they care what they are wearing how old they are??
How many attacks is it going to take to convince the women of Southampton not to walk alone in the early hours of the morning?
George, says...
12:57pm Wed 3 Sep 08
What's the point in even arguing about it? Suppose you convince everyone on here that, yes, women should be able to walk through a park alone at night. Then what? Will the attacks mysteriously stop? The argument should be "are the police doing enough to make our streets safer?" not "can women walk about at night"!
abc, says...
1:09pm Wed 3 Sep 08
bilbo baggins wrote:I should be able to leave my car unlocked with a big wad of cash on the dashboard but the reality is I can't so I wouldn't. If I did I wouldn't be surprised to find it stolen, also the insurance company wouldn't pay out if I'd done so.
Some of you are cretins. People (women included) should be able to walk through our parks at whatever time without fear of being raped. Yes ideally they shouldnt be by themselves but when youre intoxicated for or in a rush for example you might not think twice about going through the park. Why on earth haven't they got CCTV covering the parks ???
I do think the police should be able to patrol the parks better at night, if there's a strong police presence then the attacks won't happen. The idea about locking the parks also has some merit.
Denzil you should look at the profile of the predatory paedophiles, white and not the usual street criminal type, more well to do, probably living in an affluent area.
shoong, says...
1:22pm Wed 3 Sep 08
kaylee wrote:Looking back at my post I didn't mention anything about clothes..? And your right, it proabably wouldn't make a difference what age they are to a sicko. As I mentioned in my later post, obviously no-one deserves to be raped but you are putting yourself in harms way by taking these journeys late at night. Common sense should be applied, but I fear these ladies may to intoxicated to apply common sense.
shoong wrote:I agree with some things you are saying... why would girls walk through parks on there own late at night... doesnt make sense but then on the other hand because what they were is revealing this should make them a target for being raped or sexually assulted... why does it make a difference what you wear.. girls should be able to wear what they want and still be safe walking around their own town!! another fact a older lady could be walking through a dark park late at night wearing a coat wellys and jeans maybe a hat and it wouldnt make a difference to the rapist.. do you really think they care what they are wearing how old they are??
How many attacks is it going to take to convince the women of Southampton not to walk alone in the early hours of the morning?
Unfortunately rapists are out there.
cleo, portswood says...
1:34pm Wed 3 Sep 08
I'm sorry, but these women only have themselves to blame.
Rubbish. If someone walks into a tree and hurts herself, that's her fault. If she walks into a rapist and he rapes her, that's *his* choice.
KA, says...
1:41pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Bob the Yob, Woolston says...
1:53pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Wow! That was an amazing idea and they didnt read it.
Police are aware of the repeated attacks in parks and dont police them - Errr this is called 'negligence' in the courts isnt it?
I think these poor victims have a great case here - Sue the police for negligence.
Vic, Southampton says...
2:16pm Wed 3 Sep 08
KA wrote:Absolutely nothing, probably. The "reality" quoted in so many of these posts is, as is usual, catering down to the lowest common denominator, in this case, the criminal. You are not even safe in broad daylight in your own home nowadays, as many newspaper reports of attacks detail.
Maybe if the police had undercover wpcs walking the parks at night acting like they are drunk they may catch someone, its ok telling people not to use the parks but what are they doing about catching the rapist.
Instead of ranting on about what women are wearing, and "women should never be alone in the dark" both of which are restrictive, the emphasis should be on getting these predators off our streets so that they are safe at any time of day , whether you be male or female, old or young.
That's the cure, but until society stops blaming the victim of crime, and not the criminal, then prevention has to be the order of the day.
Stay indoors, work from home, order in everything you need to survive from Government recommended companies, spend a fortune on padlocks and alarms on every window and door, and never look attractive!! Sound familiar?
parklover, soton says...
2:54pm Wed 3 Sep 08
lters/muggers etc stop us from feeling safe in society. why dont the benefit officiers stop their benefits and then they will have no choice to go out and get a job and stop loitering the streets preying on WOMEN and MEN.
Dr Alimantado, says...
3:01pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Vic wrote:Putting quotation marks around "reality" doesn't change the fact that most of the posts are correct.
KA wrote: Maybe if the police had undercover wpcs walking the parks at night acting like they are drunk they may catch someone, its ok telling people not to use the parks but what are they doing about catching the rapist.Absolutely nothing, probably. The "reality" quoted in so many of these posts is, as is usual, catering down to the lowest common denominator, in this case, the criminal. You are not even safe in broad daylight in your own home nowadays, as many newspaper reports of attacks detail. Instead of ranting on about what women are wearing, and "women should never be alone in the dark" both of which are restrictive, the emphasis should be on getting these predators off our streets so that they are safe at any time of day , whether you be male or female, old or young. That's the cure, but until society stops blaming the victim of crime, and not the criminal, then prevention has to be the order of the day. Stay indoors, work from home, order in everything you need to survive from Government recommended companies, spend a fortune on padlocks and alarms on every window and door, and never look attractive!! Sound familiar?
Regardless of your observation about victims and criminals (which are spot on by the way), it is impossible to rid the streets of predators. You are asking too much and need to accept it will never happen.
There simply isn't a large enough police force to stand around and be proactive, they have to be reactive in most areas of their duties. I don't like it anymore than you, but IT IS "reality"
Dave, says...
3:06pm Wed 3 Sep 08
parklover wrote:Maybe, just maybe not all rapists/muggers/murd
i am a woman and i would never walk through the park by myself at night, if u do then ur asking for trouble. In an ideal world, we would be able to do what we want when we want without living in fear of danger, but we dont. we cant let these killers/peados/assau lters/muggers etc stop us from feeling safe in society. why dont the benefit officiers stop their benefits and then they will have no choice to go out and get a job and stop loitering the streets preying on WOMEN and MEN.
erers are unemployed and on benefits.
It is far more likely that a rapist (for example) is someone that is working in a stressful environment as a subordinate (probably to a woman)so sees rape as a way of becoming powerful and dominating.
Criminals are far more complicated than just being on benefits
jay, says...
3:08pm Wed 3 Sep 08
parklover wrote:So you think having a job(assuming they are on benefits that is) is going to stop a rapist raping, assaults happening ? you don't have to walk through a park to get raped it can happen anywhere so what should we do, stay in all the time.
i am a woman and i would never walk through the park by myself at night, if u do then ur asking for trouble. In an ideal world, we would be able to do what we want when we want without living in fear of danger, but we dont. we cant let these killers/peados/assau
lters/muggers etc stop us from feeling safe in society. why dont the benefit officiers stop their benefits and then they will have no choice to go out and get a job and stop loitering the streets preying on WOMEN and MEN.
Roy Scheider, says...
3:20pm Wed 3 Sep 08
If it was reported that a Great White Shark had attacked a swimmer at Bournemouth Beach,you wouldn't go back in the water until it was deemed safe to do so would you?
King Mush, Woolston says...
3:27pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Some numpties whinge about CCTV - just go and have a walk around any park and see if your dumb imagination can help you see why cameras are not viable.
TREES BUSHES FOLIAGE etc.
Wakey wakey
We do NOT live in an ideal world and it's a shame that any young lady cannot dress to impress in the pub/club environment.
However - walking through the jungle is 'asking for it'
Thats not sexist or any other stupid 'ist' you care to wheel out. Its called COMMON SENSE.
Not much of it around these sad days.
Cloud Stepper, Cloud 9 says...
3:40pm Wed 3 Sep 08
King Mush wrote:he he, you said 'bushes'.
More bilge on this recurring story when some daft boozed-up bird gets assaulted whilst staggering through a park in the early hours. Some numpties whinge about CCTV - just go and have a walk around any park and see if your dumb imagination can help you see why cameras are not viable. TREES BUSHES FOLIAGE etc. Wakey wakey We do NOT live in an ideal world and it's a shame that any young lady cannot dress to impress in the pub/club environment. However - walking through the jungle is 'asking for it' Thats not sexist or any other stupid 'ist' you care to wheel out. Its called COMMON SENSE. Not much of it around these sad days.
Maybe if they trimmed their.....no, won't go there.
King Mush, Woolston says...
3:48pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Lebanese Red? Moroccan Gold today?
Yeah Man....far out......
P Diddly, says...
3:55pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Roy Scheider wrote:Yeah i would and if the shark had a go at me i'd bite the mofo first.
The long and short of this is simple - The Parks are no longer safe. Therefore if you are vulnerable regardless of gender,don't use them until they are safe. If it was reported that a Great White Shark had attacked a swimmer at Bournemouth Beach,you wouldn't go back in the water until it was deemed safe to do so would you?
jay, says...
4:14pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Cloud Stepper, Cloud 9 says...
4:20pm Wed 3 Sep 08
King Mush wrote:bit of squidgy black...old school
lol@ Cloudstepper. Lebanese Red? Moroccan Gold today? Yeah Man....far out......
Bailey, Soton says...
4:22pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Yes it is a silly thing to do, I have done it myself and felt really stupid the next day, but you shouldn't condemn someone for doing it. The thing is we SHOULD be able to walk the streets without fear, in this day and age we can't, so sad!!
George, says...
4:28pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Bailey wrote:There are lots of things we SHOULD be able to do, but can't. Nobody's saying anyone's "asking" for anything, but if a sex offender isn't swayed by laws specifically addressing his actions, he's hardly likely to care too much about some vague notion of "rights", either.
Hang on a minute!!! We do not unfortunately life in a world where common sense always prevales BUT where does it say that a women cannot wear what she wants, when she wants, it's a personal choice. If a women wants to go out with a skirt that comes to her bum or a top that just covers her boobs or whatever, thats her choice, saying that she's " asking for it" is so wrong and also a common misconception and myth in both men and women.
Yes it is a silly thing to do, I have done it myself and felt really stupid the next day, but you shouldn't condemn someone for doing it. The thing is we SHOULD be able to walk the streets without fear, in this day and age we can't, so sad!!
Cloud Stepper, Cloud 9 says...
4:31pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Bailey wrote:yeah that's pretty much what everyone on here has been saying man.
Hang on a minute!!! We do not unfortunately life in a world where common sense always prevales BUT where does it say that a women cannot wear what she wants, when she wants, it's a personal choice. If a women wants to go out with a skirt that comes to her bum or a top that just covers her boobs or whatever, thats her choice, saying that she's " asking for it" is so wrong and also a common misconception and myth in both men and women. Yes it is a silly thing to do, I have done it myself and felt really stupid the next day, but you shouldn't condemn someone for doing it. The thing is we SHOULD be able to walk the streets without fear, in this day and age we can't, so sad!!
How slow are you?
Are you a dude or a chick? Name sounds dudish but you mentioned boobs which is chickish.
I'm confused
Rock and roll, says...
4:36pm Wed 3 Sep 08
If you can get there without being seen, well get some CCTV IN the parks.
I suppose it would be a bit too much for the local constabulary, to patrol these parks and surrounding areas in the late and wee hours.
Apart from that, when this lowlife rapist dirtbag is caught, his rotten nuts should be strung up from a live electric pylon, until the filthy sc"m trash fries.
I also hope his wh0re of a mother realises the dirty rapist she spwaned, and does the right thing and phones the police, before having her poisoned whore tubes cut out with a bottle, so as never to reproduce again.
Bailey, Soton says...
4:38pm Wed 3 Sep 08
And to George, I know that an attacker wont be swayed by our "rights" but we all should be able to do the things that we want, not just women!!
KA, says...
4:38pm Wed 3 Sep 08
parklover wrote:Well george i think this post says exactly that. also G Ls comments earlier
i am a woman and i would never walk through the park by myself at night, if u do then ur asking for trouble. In an ideal world, we would be able to do what we want when we want without living in fear of danger, but we dont. we cant let these killers/peados/assau
lters/muggers etc stop us from feeling safe in society. why dont the benefit officiers stop their benefits and then they will have no choice to go out and get a job and stop loitering the streets preying on WOMEN and MEN.
George, says...
5:00pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Bailey wrote:Well, that told me, didn't it. Ok, I've just got this mountain to shift, then I'll get right on with adjusting reality for you....
I am a girl!! And I wasn't just repeating what people were saying, I just wanted to have my say.
And to George, I know that an attacker wont be swayed by our "rights" but we all should be able to do the things that we want, not just women!!
Cloud Stepper, Cloud 9 says...
5:03pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Bailey wrote:Oops, sorry x
I am a girl!! And I wasn't just repeating what people were saying, I just wanted to have my say. And to George, I know that an attacker wont be swayed by our "rights" but we all should be able to do the things that we want, not just women!!
Bailey, Soton says...
5:22pm Wed 3 Sep 08
George, says...
5:26pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Bailey wrote:Ok. Keep up the good fight for your rights!
George, Jog on!!
(shakes head in bewilderment)
Denzil, Empress Road says...
5:27pm Wed 3 Sep 08
I dress like this all the time and can't even get a punter!
I thought the long blonde wig might work but perhaps I should have a shave. Any suggestions would be gratefully recieved..
Nit-picker, Louseville says...
6:13pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Denzil wrote:I have a suggestion for you.
Bailey said: "If a women wants to go out with a skirt that comes to her bum or a top that just covers her boobs or whatever, thats her choice,"
I dress like this all the time and can't even get a punter!
I thought the long blonde wig might work but perhaps I should have a shave. Any suggestions would be gratefully recieved..
Try and think 'i' before
'e' except after 'c'
Pink Lady, Southampton says...
6:45pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Jay, says...
6:55pm Wed 3 Sep 08
Shazza, says...
7:06pm Wed 3 Sep 08
For Goodness Sake!, Soton says...
7:13pm Wed 3 Sep 08
dave, Millbrook says...
8:44am Wed 3 Sep 08