Send pictures to us
Send us your pictures and video by text, email or by uploading. Click here to find out how. »
|
|
|
|
No-go zone in city parks after sex attack
3:03pm Wednesday 7th May 2008
Comments (40)
THEY are the jewels in Southampton's crown.
Look at a map and what stands out are the five historic parks in the heart of the city centre.
The parks - Watts, East, Palmerston, Houndwell and Hoglands - are prized as a green oasis away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Yet women are now being told not to walk alone through them after a daylight sex attack on a teenager.
Detectives issued the warning as they stepped up the hunt to find the man who grabbed the 19-year-old as she walked home from a city centre nightclub through Palmerston Park. It is not the first time that safety fears have been raised over the parks.
Two and a half years ago council and police chiefs appealed for people to keep out after more than 100 attacks including a rape, assaults and muggings in the space of ten months.
Detective Inspector Linda Howard,who is leading the current investigation, said: "We do not want to alarm people but we would urge women not to make themselves vulnerable and not to walk alone through the parks during the night time or early hours when it is quiet.
See today's Daily Echo for the full story.
"We want to stress that we are doing everything we can, including vast inquiries in the area and thorough checks of CCTV, to catch this person responsible."
However the police warning has drawn criticism.
Chairman of Southampton Commons and Parks Protection Society and vice chairman of City of Southampton Society, Arthur Jeffery, said: "To say that women should not walk through the parks alone is a bold statement and it is a tragedy if the police believe it.
"Of course a sex attack is terrible but this is a rare incident. The bushes are cut back and there is good lighting in the park. It would be a great shame if young women could not enjoy the beautiful greenery we get in the city.
"This reaction is political correctness gone mad."
Councillor for the city centre Bargate ward, Sarah Bogle, echoed those sentiments and said: "I think it is sensible advice for men and women not to walk through the park at night.
"But as someone who regularly walks through the park during the day I would say it would be a shame if young women felt they could no longer do this."
Police have revealed the victim of the latest attack had spent the night at the Soul Cellar in West Marlands Road, close to the Civic Centre, and was walking through Palmerston Park when she was grabbed.
About half way across the park the attacker pulled her to the ground and seriously sexually assaulted her. The ordeal only stopped when a passer-by, who was walking to a shop, heard her screams and intervened. The attacker ran off. A team of 20 detectives are working on the investigation being run by Shirley CID.
Officers are particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously in the area between 5.30am and 6.30am on Monday. They have said it is too early to say whether the attack, which happened around 6am on Bank Holiday Monday, is being linked to previous sex attacks in the area and neighbouring parks.
The man is known to have run off in the direction of Above Bar Street while the girl, a student in the city, was left suffering shock and minor injuries.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Operation Hartland team at Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.
Your Say YourDaily Echo
Hey, Southampton says...
9:03am Wed 7 May 08
Here, There says...
9:09am Wed 7 May 08
Parks are a no go area for women walking home from a night club at 4/5/6 in the morning as day breaks !!!
The headline smacks of sensationalism, whether a park or any street in any town in the early hours women are vulnerable, its a shame but it is fact, those most vulnerable need to make provision for the times in which we live, ensure you have enough money for a cab, walk home with friends, the only way to reduce attacks is to remove yourself from danger.
If someone has their car stolen because they left their keys in the ignition, you feel sorry for them but they kind of left themselves open to become a victim
George, says...
9:15am Wed 7 May 08
Hey wrote:100% agreement here. Seems to me all this country's interested in now is timidly giving up in the face of any adversity. How can a park be a no-go area? Police it you morons, it's not that friggin' difficult
Oh great ok then... This park isnt like a wild spot in Africa where
you're advised not walk about in case Lions rip you to shreds. It's a
park full of losers so why not have cctv or police presence (even one
copper) Its pathetic
Ciaran, says...
9:18am Wed 7 May 08
Here wrote:So what if she was walking home at 6am?
Parks are not a no go area for women during the day !!! Parks are a no go area for women walking home from a night club at 4/5/6 in the morning as day breaks !!! The headline smacks of sensationalism, whether a park or any street in any town in the early hours women are vulnerable, its a shame but it is fact, those most vulnerable need to make provision for the times in which we live, ensure you have enough money for a cab, walk home with friends, the only way to reduce attacks is to remove yourself from danger. If someone has their car stolen because they left their keys in the ignition, you feel sorry for them but they kind of left themselves open to become a victim
It's still daylight and she had done nothing wrong to warrant being attacked other than walking home. She had every right to be in that park. You can't possibly blame her in any way, shape or form.
worried by headlines, Southampton says...
9:21am Wed 7 May 08
Christoff, says...
9:27am Wed 7 May 08
Ciaran wrote:it requires common sense, of course she had every right to walk through the park but in this day and age you have to use your head.
Here wrote: Parks are not a no go area for women during the day !!! Parks are a no go area for women walking home from a night club at 4/5/6 in the morning as day breaks !!! The headline smacks of sensationalism, whether a park or any street in any town in the early hours women are vulnerable, its a shame but it is fact, those most vulnerable need to make provision for the times in which we live, ensure you have enough money for a cab, walk home with friends, the only way to reduce attacks is to remove yourself from danger. If someone has their car stolen because they left their keys in the ignition, you feel sorry for them but they kind of left themselves open to become a victimSo what if she was walking home at 6am? It's still daylight and she had done nothing wrong to warrant being attacked other than walking home. She had every right to be in that park. You can't possibly blame her in any way, shape or form.
Just don't go through parks on your own.
I am male and I would think twice about walking through a park at night on my own. There are a lot of seriously nasty people out there and it just isn't worth the risk.
Ciaran, says...
9:33am Wed 7 May 08
Christoff wrote:But this wasn't at night.
Ciaran wrote:it requires common sense, of course she had every right to walk through the park but in this day and age you have to use your head. Just don't go through parks on your own. I am male and I would think twice about walking through a park at night on my own. There are a lot of seriously nasty people out there and it just isn't worth the risk.Here wrote: Parks are not a no go area for women during the day !!! Parks are a no go area for women walking home from a night club at 4/5/6 in the morning as day breaks !!! The headline smacks of sensationalism, whether a park or any street in any town in the early hours women are vulnerable, its a shame but it is fact, those most vulnerable need to make provision for the times in which we live, ensure you have enough money for a cab, walk home with friends, the only way to reduce attacks is to remove yourself from danger. If someone has their car stolen because they left their keys in the ignition, you feel sorry for them but they kind of left themselves open to become a victimSo what if she was walking home at 6am? It's still daylight and she had done nothing wrong to warrant being attacked other than walking home. She had every right to be in that park. You can't possibly blame her in any way, shape or form.
It was daylight - the full story in the paper says it happened at 6am.
Ian, Central says...
10:15am Wed 7 May 08
Christoff, says...
10:15am Wed 7 May 08
Ciaran wrote:which supports my point...it's risky whatever time of day. Thugs and rapists don't have set working hours
Christoff wrote:But this wasn't at night. It was daylight - the full story in the paper says it happened at 6am.Ciaran wrote:it requires common sense, of course she had every right to walk through the park but in this day and age you have to use your head. Just don't go through parks on your own. I am male and I would think twice about walking through a park at night on my own. There are a lot of seriously nasty people out there and it just isn't worth the risk.Here wrote: Parks are not a no go area for women during the day !!! Parks are a no go area for women walking home from a night club at 4/5/6 in the morning as day breaks !!! The headline smacks of sensationalism, whether a park or any street in any town in the early hours women are vulnerable, its a shame but it is fact, those most vulnerable need to make provision for the times in which we live, ensure you have enough money for a cab, walk home with friends, the only way to reduce attacks is to remove yourself from danger. If someone has their car stolen because they left their keys in the ignition, you feel sorry for them but they kind of left themselves open to become a victimSo what if she was walking home at 6am? It's still daylight and she had done nothing wrong to warrant being attacked other than walking home. She had every right to be in that park. You can't possibly blame her in any way, shape or form.
People must be vigilant at all times, not just at night
Here, There says...
10:25am Wed 7 May 08
Ciaran wrote:Ciaran, you have missed my point completely, we need to get real and realise the dangers that are out there, attacks in parks in the area have been high profile for a number of years now, yet still we hear of women walking through them at an hour when they are all but deserted, we continue to hear of women leaving nightclubs on their own and walking home etc.. it is madness, we have to carry out risk assessments in life, simple really
Here wrote: Parks are not a no go area for women during the day !!! Parks are a no go area for women walking home from a night club at 4/5/6 in the morning as day breaks !!! The headline smacks of sensationalism, whether a park or any street in any town in the early hours women are vulnerable, its a shame but it is fact, those most vulnerable need to make provision for the times in which we live, ensure you have enough money for a cab, walk home with friends, the only way to reduce attacks is to remove yourself from danger. If someone has their car stolen because they left their keys in the ignition, you feel sorry for them but they kind of left themselves open to become a victimSo what if she was walking home at 6am? It's still daylight and she had done nothing wrong to warrant being attacked other than walking home. She had every right to be in that park. You can't possibly blame her in any way, shape or form.
truth patrol, soton says...
10:32am Wed 7 May 08
Over here in the real world, says...
12:20pm Wed 7 May 08
Christoff wrote:Yes she had every right to walk through that park...BUT....so does a young man flashing a load of money and an expensive watch...and likewise if he's mugged he should have expected it just like she should have had common sense not to walk through there on her own.
Ciaran wrote:it requires common sense, of course she had every right to walk through the park but in this day and age you have to use your head. Just don't go through parks on your own. I am male and I would think twice about walking through a park at night on my own. There are a lot of seriously nasty people out there and it just isn't worth the risk.Here wrote: Parks are not a no go area for women during the day !!! Parks are a no go area for women walking home from a night club at 4/5/6 in the morning as day breaks !!! The headline smacks of sensationalism, whether a park or any street in any town in the early hours women are vulnerable, its a shame but it is fact, those most vulnerable need to make provision for the times in which we live, ensure you have enough money for a cab, walk home with friends, the only way to reduce attacks is to remove yourself from danger. If someone has their car stolen because they left their keys in the ignition, you feel sorry for them but they kind of left themselves open to become a victimSo what if she was walking home at 6am? It's still daylight and she had done nothing wrong to warrant being attacked other than walking home. She had every right to be in that park. You can't possibly blame her in any way, shape or form.
In the real world we can't all do what we want when we want, and no it shouldn't have to stop us but until you can clean up the streets it will stop the people who think, and lets be honest you'll never clean the streets up totally so get used to it........put a police presence in the parks NOW !
Condor Man, Southampton says...
1:48pm Wed 7 May 08
Louise, Marchwood says...
2:23pm Wed 7 May 08
Henry's mates mate, Henry Lans says...
2:32pm Wed 7 May 08
Posted by: truth patrol, soton on 10:32am today
why am I paying 160 pounds to the police in poll tax when they are not protecting us. They should be prosecuted for failing in their duty. If the chief constable cannot do his job then fire him or her and get another one. We all pay for a service which we are not getting. If someone said terrorists are gathering in hoglands park there would be thousands of police there.
why am I paying 160 pounds to the police in poll tax when they are not protecting us. They should be prosecuted
Plank......Poll tax doesn't exist anymore and the Chief Constable is retiring. Who else do you want to blame instead of the sick pervert that did this?
Dixon, Dock Gate 4 says...
4:04pm Wed 7 May 08
Henry, the land of henry says...
4:07pm Wed 7 May 08
Henry's mates mate wrote:i agree...this blokes a plank. where does he the £160 thing from. what a loser!!!
Posted by: truth patrol, soton on 10:32am today why am I paying 160 pounds to the police in poll tax when they are not protecting us. They should be prosecuted for failing in their duty. If the chief constable cannot do his job then fire him or her and get another one. We all pay for a service which we are not getting. If someone said terrorists are gathering in hoglands park there would be thousands of police there. why am I paying 160 pounds to the police in poll tax when they are not protecting us. They should be prosecutedPlank......Poll tax doesn't exist anymore and the Chief Constable is retiring. Who else do you want to blame instead of the sick pervert that did this?
wat has terrorists got to do with this story anyway.
Kerry, Southampton says...
4:23pm Wed 7 May 08
Prince Vultan, says...
4:46pm Wed 7 May 08
It would be nice to see more police on the beat instead of milking the motorist in order to pay the Hampshire Police beer fund.
James Kelly, Chilworth says...
4:54pm Wed 7 May 08
Keith Oftergrass, says...
5:30pm Wed 7 May 08
Isn't everyone getting a little over-reactive here ?
I just hope it doesn't put nubile young women off walking through the parks in summer, such a lovely sight.
Julian Le Good, says...
5:41pm Wed 7 May 08
hmm, says...
6:36pm Wed 7 May 08
Keith Oftergrass wrote:Sentences 1 and 2 make some sense.
Wow ! That's one about every year - a crime wave ! Isn't everyone getting a little over-reactive here ? I just hope it doesn't put nubile young women off walking through the parks in summer, such a lovely sight.
3 is a bit out of order. Next you will be telling us it is the womans fault for being nubile in the first place. Do ugly people get attacked in daylight or only at night?
F/Tool.
camera man, park says...
6:40pm Wed 7 May 08
The Star Chamber, says...
7:05pm Wed 7 May 08
camera man wrote:Didn't you get the memo? Yesterday we were told that despite having more CCTV per head than anywhere else it doesn't cut crime or catch the scum.
they should put up cctv there instead of wasting our money make good use of it and protect the public tax payers etc
An armed response is more effective and dead rapists tell few tales and don't clog up the criminal justice system.
CCTV with a directional taser might be an option.
sotonsson, soton says...
8:28pm Wed 7 May 08
George wrote:Why can't there be pcso's on regular patrol throughout each of the parks- or even private security firms carrying out regular patrols etc.Also why not use cctv as used in Bournemouth.
Hey wrote: Oh great ok then... This park isnt like a wild spot in Africa where you're advised not walk about in case Lions rip you to shreds. It's a park full of losers so why not have cctv or police presence (even one copper) Its pathetic100% agreement here. Seems to me all this country's interested in now is timidly giving up in the face of any adversity. How can a park be a no-go area? Police it you morons, it's not that friggin' difficult
George, says...
8:32pm Wed 7 May 08
sotonsson wrote:I'm unconvinced CCTV would have any real effect, but something as simple as a regular PCSO presence might well do, yeh
George wrote:Why can't there be pcso's on regular patrol throughout each of the parks- or even private security firms carrying out regular patrols etc.Also why not use cctv as used in Bournemouth.
Hey wrote: Oh great ok then... This park isnt like a wild spot in Africa where you're advised not walk about in case Lions rip you to shreds. It's a park full of losers so why not have cctv or police presence (even one copper) Its pathetic100% agreement here. Seems to me all this country's interested in now is timidly giving up in the face of any adversity. How can a park be a no-go area? Police it you morons, it's not that friggin' difficult
John, Woolston, Southampton says...
9:22pm Wed 7 May 08
Calvin, Southampton says...
1:06am Thu 8 May 08
Why haven't the council installed CCTV cameras yet.
Drug dealing, rape, mugging and assualts happen down that park a lot, yet they haven't added CCTV cameras..
I just don't understand.
These attacks will only just increase because of the society we live in!
st marys man, town says...
6:53am Thu 8 May 08
southampton resident, says...
8:04am Thu 8 May 08
I have lived in many countries in my life time, unfortunately England is the worst! However this is to be expected with a pathetic government who cares nothing for the average hard working English person, instead favouring the layabout, foreigner and other undesirables whom are neither wanted or useful to this country. Unfortunately people are afraid of speaking out as its not politically correct to do so. Well I am not politically correct and will speak out.
I want this country returned to the English, where English men and women can walk safely without fear, just like the old days.
Its time all decent English people made a stand for their rights, including the right to walk safely in a park.
simmo, soton says...
8:14am Thu 8 May 08
southampton resident wrote:dont think i could have put it better myself. also if the guy caught the rapist and give him a hiding he probably would end up in court.....so dont get involved i say....because the honest citizen leagally here dosent stand a chance now in this country.
Southampton is a disgusting little hole. I for one will be glad when I can sell up and leave, sometime this summer I expect. I have lived in many countries in my life time, unfortunately England is the worst! However this is to be expected with a pathetic government who cares nothing for the average hard working English person, instead favouring the layabout, foreigner and other undesirables whom are neither wanted or useful to this country. Unfortunately people are afraid of speaking out as its not politically correct to do so. Well I am not politically correct and will speak out. I want this country returned to the English, where English men and women can walk safely without fear, just like the old days. Its time all decent English people made a stand for their rights, including the right to walk safely in a park.
Sue, Southampton says...
8:59am Thu 8 May 08
I would never walk through the parks on my own at any time of day. It is self preservation. Each person is responsible for their own safety.
CCTV, says...
9:05am Thu 8 May 08
Is it really that hard?
simmo, town says...
9:35am Thu 8 May 08
CCTV wrote:was the point of cctv....when some hoody is on it......wake up to the real world. police or nothing aint it.............but there all too bust catching the speeding motorist or a drink driver....easy catch for promotion why bother doing some proper community work thers no reward in it on their cv is there.
Why not install some proper lighting, CCTV cameras and have some bobbies on bikes go down there. Is it really that hard?
Concerned parent, near southampton says...
5:44pm Thu 8 May 08
Kazza, Soton says...
10:23pm Thu 8 May 08
southampton resident wrote:Well said!!! And we should be allowed to fly our Union Jack!! (Just a thought)!!
Southampton is a disgusting little hole. I for one will be glad when I can sell up and leave, sometime this summer I expect. I have lived in many countries in my life time, unfortunately England is the worst! However this is to be expected with a pathetic government who cares nothing for the average hard working English person, instead favouring the layabout, foreigner and other undesirables whom are neither wanted or useful to this country. Unfortunately people are afraid of speaking out as its not politically correct to do so. Well I am not politically correct and will speak out. I want this country returned to the English, where English men and women can walk safely without fear, just like the old days. Its time all decent English people made a stand for their rights, including the right to walk safely in a park.
King Mush, Woolston says...
1:57am Fri 9 May 08
Single girls staggering home in darkness or even at 6am is 'asking for it'
Sorry - but true. Sheer stupidity in this day and age but booze and/or drugs will overtake any sanity.
I've often seen silly scantily dressed girls walking home at all hours of the night.
Unbelievable.
Ridiculous., says...
1:24am Mon 12 May 08
No girl at all is ever 'asking' to be attacked or raped.
If the girl in question was 'scantily dressed' or wearing a pile of clothes, would it really make a difference to whether she was 'asking for it' or not?
Your reply is absolutely ridiculous.
Spare a thought for the girl who's been put through this ordeal. It's nobodies fault but the disgusting man who attacked her.
If, say, a female relative of yours was walking home at 6/7am, and was (god forbid) attacked, would you condemn them and say it was their fault?
How dare you even imply that this girl was 'asking for it'.
In this section
- Binmen to spy on your rubbish
- Give us a vote on fluoride
- Police will target yobs
- The cheapest place to live in the South
- Taxi driver fighting for his life after road smash
- Volunteers wanted to trial swine flu vaccine
- Fire wrecks Hampshire gym
- More charges over Arcadia drugs
- School is flying the green flag
- Legal challenge to travellers camp
Sponsored Links
|
|
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
hulla, baloo says...
9:03am Wed 7 May 08
Should never be the case.