The story behind 'Rape Park': One of Southampton's notorious areas for sex offences 

Here in Southampton, questions are being asked about what the council and police are doing to tackle male violence.

In the centre of the city, one area, in particular, raises concerns time and time again. 

While new visitors wandering around the city may stumble on Houndwell and Hoglands Park and think it is a beautiful spot to enjoy, many local residents see the areas in a more sinister light.

The green spaces, just off Vincents Walk by the former site of Debenhams, have been nicknamed 'Rape Park' due to the number of sexual offences recorded there. 

Southampton City Council has acknowledged previously that the parks have high crime rates which stop residents from being able to enjoy them.
With government cash set to transform the parks, we take a look at its history and why some fear walking through it.

Why do some people call Hoglands Park 'Rape Park'? 

The park has been the setting for a number of sexual offences in recent years. 

Back in 2018, fashion student Marina Ferreira, explained why students were referring to the green space in the city centre as 'Rape Park'. She said: "Students call this park the rape park because of the too many incidents that happened here. None of the parks in the city are safe and we have the right to walk through the parks and feel safe."

The reputation of both park’s is evident online, with one resident leaving a scathing Tripadvisor review warning people to stay away from them at night.

Davinci_uk wrote on Tripadvisor’s website: “During the day this park is just like all the others and a nice walk on a summers day. It has a skating ramp in it too but by night this park has been known for muggings, attacks and rapes. Avoid walking through this park at night even with friends.”

What is being done about it? 

Women in the city have called for action to be taken such as increased police patrols after stating they do not feel safe enough to walk through parks.

Earlier this year, Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner was able to secure £550,000 from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund– a fund designed to invest in interventions to prevent crime in the worst affected areas with the park on the list of priorities. 

READ MORE: 'Tired and unsightly' city centre park pavilion to be replaced

The cash will be used to improve the Bargate area, which includes four key locations - Vincents Walk, Kingsland Estate, Hoglands Park and St Mary Street.

Proposed measures in these locations include: improved fencing and gating in residential areas, improved street lighting, increased CCTV monitoring and general environmental improvements and maintenance to reduce secluded hiding spots and open up areas for community use.

When asked by The Echo what steps are being taken to improve safety in the parks, The Southampton Safe City Partnership said: “The Safe City Partnership continues to prioritise the prevention of and respond to violence against women and girls. Whether it’s in public spaces or at home, we stand with anyone who has been impacted by these incidents and want to do all that we can to help people feel safer.

“Together with organisations and partners across the city, it’s important to make sure the necessary preventative and support services are available for those who feel unsafe or have personal experiences as well as proactively encouraging an education of healthy relationships to children, from an early age. 

“We continue to work closely with partners to make Southampton a safer city for everyone. The Police and Crime Commissioner has secured £550,000 from the Government’s Safer Streets Fund to invest in crime prevention measures within the Kingsland, St Mary’s street and Hoglands Park area in the Bargate ward. The Safer Streets Fund has funded a range of measures that will contribute to Southampton being a safer place to live and work.”  

When was the last attack there and how often do they happen? 

The last reported known incident took place in November last year when a 17-year-old was attacked in broad daylight in Houndwell Park. 

The teenager was reportedly raped at around 10am on Thursday, November 12.

The council and police have previously acknowledged that the park has a high crime rate. 

Looking back at our reports from recent years, we can see there have been at least three rape cases linked to the park. 

In August 2019, a 17-year-old girl was attacked and raped in the early hours of the morning in Houndwell Park.  

While in March 2018, a 26-year-old woman was raped after she was attacked on her way through Hoglands Park at around 7pm on a Monday evening. 

And it isn't just sexual offences that are reported in the park. 

Police arrested three men on suspicion of drug dealing in January. 

While a 21-year-old was stabbed in the middle of the day in a 'truly shocking incident' which left families terrified in March 2019. 

What does the council say about Houndwell and Hoglands Park? 

Southampton City Council's website describes Hoglands Park as the 'village green' of Central Parks. It says:  "Hoglands Park is the village green of Central Parks with its cricket squares and informal kick-about area in relaxed parkland. Areas around the parks boundaries are planted and managed with native plants to encourage wildlife.

"Hoglands Park is part of the many open spaces across Southampton providing an ideal place to hold an event. The park has been used for many events including Tour of Britain cycle race finish, Sport Relief, Southampton Mela festival, BBC Blast Tour, circuses, youth festivals, sporting events and family activities."