Police warn women about going into South Norwood Country Park alone
Women are being warned about a sex attacker whose asaults in a park in broad daylight have become more frequent.
Detectives are appealing for information following a series of incidents inside in South Norwood Country Park.
Officers are investigating six separate attacks on women which are believed to have taken place in the park between Friday, 3 May and Friday, 21 June. There had been a gap of a month before three incidents took place in the space of two days last week.
Each of the victims – aged from their early 30s to mid 60s, were walking or jogging alone, five of them with dogs.
All the offences occurred in daylight and on weekdays between 10.50am and 4.30pm.
Four of the victims were sexually assaulted. In four cases the suspect either stole or attempted to steal mobile phones from the victims.
None of the victims suffered any further injuries.
At this stage, officers are treating the offences as linked.
The suspect is described as a black male, aged between 16 and 25, tall, thin and with dark hair.
Detective Sergeant Matt Loftus, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are working hard to identify the suspect in this case and are appealing for anyone who might have seen or heard anything to speak to us, however insignificant they think the information may be.
“We would advise park users to be vigilant and will be providing additional patrols in the area.”
List of offences:
Friday May 3, 4.30pm – Sexual Assault, no theft
Tuesday May 5, 1.15pm – Sexual Assault, no theft
Wednesday May 15, 1050am – Attempted theft of phone, no sexual assault
Thursday June 20, 3.05pm – Sexual Assault and Robbery of phone
Thursday June 20, 3.20pm – Sexual Assault and Robbery of phone
Friday June 21, 3pm – Theft from person of phone, no sexual assault
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference CAD 5140/20JUN19 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Yet again another incidence of victim blaming against women. Rather than actually doing some police work and hunting for and capturing the sick pervert just make sure women are not using the park. Typical
Tbf, if you read the actual quote from the police in the article, you might reach the conclusion that the ‘warning’ comes from the reporter, not them. I get where you’re coming from though – it shouldn’t be the responsibility of potential victims to avoid areas where anyone else might happily walk or jog just because they happen to be women.