Third Riverside Sexual Attack in Hereford.

[Hereford Voice]

Would you feel safe walking along here after dark??

We have reported on three separate sexual attacks along the riverside on women in Hereford in the past few weeks.

• Sunday 31st July | A police cordon was in place on a riverside path all morning and into the afternoon after a rape was reported on Sunday, July 31. The attack happened on the opposite side of the rowing club between the Old Bridge and Great Western Way, close the the Hunderton bridge.
   
• Sunday 7th August | An investigation has been launched following a rape near Victoria Bridge in Hereford yesterday (Sunday 7 August). Police were called by the ambulance service shortly after 11pm when the victim disclosed to paramedics that she had been raped. It’s believed the incident took place on the river path between the tennis courts and Victoria Bridge between 9pm and 10pm on Sunday 7 August.
   
• Friday 12th August | A cordon is currently in place on the river path between Hinton Road and King George V playing fields in Hereford following a sexual assault at around 10pm last night (Friday 12 August). West Mercia Police were called after a man grabbed a women from behind and exposed himself. The incident took place on the river path between King George V playing fields and Hinton Road between 9.45pm and 10.15pm.

West Mercia Police Statement;

Superintendent Rebecca Love said: “I’m aware that there have been a number of incidents along the river path recently, and understandably this is causing concern within the local community.

“I totally understand these concerns and would like to reiterate that we are investigating all reports and are using our specially trained officers in supporting the victims.

“We have already increased patrols along the river paths, especially after dark, and these will continue. In addition, we are working closely with partners to discuss measures to increase the safety of these areas.”

Hereford Voice succesfully campaigned to have CCTV installed on the Hunderton Bridge back in 2015 https://bit.ly/3pjMTM6

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙙 ??

[Aylestone Voice]

Perhaps the Police should have a strong talk with the Council.  

The lack of maintenance along footpaths in the City is frankly shocking. You only have to look at the photo above - overhanging trees (which may well meet the green council's agenda) but which at night make the path even darker and unsafe. 

Elsewhere paths have significant overgrown vegetation (e.g. Union Walk) and where there are lights many of these are obscured by vegetation (e.g. Great Western Way just south of Sainsburys). 

All of this gives those people who want to cause harm places to hide and then prey on the vulnerable. It also encourages people not to use these paths due to fear.

But the Council, if even they offer warm words about this, don't care. As with the police statement we will get some oft repeated  crap that "we are working with our partners (the most overused wet excuse from public bodies) to ... etc" 

None of this is meant to excuse in any way those who carry out these crimes.

[Irena Sulecka]

I would not walk along any of these areas after dark. I appreciate that people and women in general should be able to walk around anywhere after dark but I personally would not walk along here, stick to the main roads where there are people and traffic. 

[Steve Major]

2 hours ago, Irena Sulecka said:

I would not walk along any of these areas after dark. I appreciate that people and women in general should be able to walk around anywhere after dark but I personally would not walk along here, stick to the main roads where there are people and traffic. 

Pleased that someone has some common sense.