Don't become Bristol Groper's next victim, police warn
Bristol police are keeping up high-visibility patrols in Clifton following a spate of sex attacks on lone women.
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Despite the Bristol Groper carrying out his last attack on Friday, November 21, police are still warning women to be on their guard two weeks later.
In total, five women have been attacked in just five weeks in and around the Clifton area.
Bristol University has stepped up its own security patrols and emailed warnings out to 20,000 students and staff.
Police officers have also handed out leaflets to residents urging them to take care, particularly when out at night.
The serial sex attacker first struck on October 12.
Women have been targeted as they have walked along Whiteladies Road, Alma Road, Pembroke Road, Hanbury Road and Hampton Park in Cotham.
In each case, the suspect has been a white man, about 5ft 10ins tall, with dark hair and wearing dark clothing.
Police have stressed that none of the women have been raped, but there is concern the attacks could become more serious. Detectives have issued this advice to women in Bristol:
Don't walk alone at night – book a cab or stay with a friend.
Stay alert to your surroundings – don't chat on your mobile or listen to an MP3 player.
Carry a personal attack alarm.
Stick to well-lit, busy areas – don't take that dark shortcut.
Tell someone where you're going and who you're with.
Walk confidently and be wary of strangers trying to start a conversation.
Have your car or house keys ready to hand.
Report anything suspicious to police on 0845 456 7000.
If you are attacked or think you are about to be attacked, police say you should:
Scream, set off your personal alarm and make as much noise as you can.
Run to a busy place as soon as you can and call 999.
Chief Inspector Chris Jennings said: "The response we have had to these incidents just goes to show how unusual this is and how safe Bristol is as a rule.
"Women should not be deterred from living their lives as usual – they should just take a few simple precautions to stay safe, especially as we enter the Christmas party season."
Anyone with any information about the attacks in Bristol should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
6 Comments
by Daryoush Pemberton, Bath
Monday, December 15 2008, 11:38AM
“I haven't seen any patrols either. They HAVE to be undercover or non-existent. I'll keep my eye out for them for sure.”
by p, Bristol
Saturday, December 06 2008, 12:29AM
“just makes it seem like a playful slap on the bum. its not. Lily, Bristol
It's the old game of 'knock and touch',i used to play it at school,you bump into someone,apologise and cop a feel. :-)”
by Lily, Bristol
Friday, December 05 2008, 3:50PM
“the "advice" from the police is such a load of rubbish. My faves are "don't walk alone at night" - in case you hadn't noticed its dark at 4.30 so we have no choice but to walk alone on the way home from work. Even if I drive, I often have to park 2-3 streets away so end up walking the dark streets anyway which defies to object. which leads me on to my other favourite pc of advice "stick to well-lit busy ares and don't take that dark short cut" - we're talking about pembroke, alma, hanley etc right?? The lighting on those streets consists of tiny victorian-style lamposts that give off 3-candles worth of light that is blocked from travelling a great distance by trees either side of the lamp post. this casts spooky shadows at the best of times but normally you just go "oh don't be silly" except now maybe its not silly, maybe its that man.. brrrr, sends shivers down my spine!
I would like to issue some advice to the police: Catch this horrible man now - it doesn't matter if he hasn't raped anyone (yet) - he probably will, or worse.
and who thought of the name Bristol Groper anyway? its awful and also kind of belittles what he's done, just makes it seem like a playful slap on the bum. its not.”
by Molly, Bristol
Friday, December 05 2008, 1:03PM
“i live in Clifton, have done all my life and as a girl of 19 this is very worrying. Right or wrong i have always seen clifton as a 'Safe' area so this has totally shaken me and my friends. We now know we MUST be more careful, noone goes home alone and well have bought rape alarms just in case.”
by Robin, Bristol
Friday, December 05 2008, 12:55PM
“Justin,there are four of them outside my house NOW,one of them pointing a camera at oncoming cars.”
by justin, Bristol
Thursday, December 04 2008, 6:43PM
“If the police are doing patrols they must be undercover. I trabvel into work most days that way at all times and never see any.”