SOUTHAMPTON detectives are urging women to heed the message behind the Daily Echo's Be Safe Be Sensible campaign after a teenager was assaulted.
The 18-year-old was in Andrews Park alone at 1.15am on Saturday when she was indecently assaulted. The attack comes just weeks after the Daily Echo launched its campaign in conjunction with Hampshire police in a bid to raise awareness about personal safety.
Be Safe Be Sensible advises people, especially women, to follow a five-point plan:
Don't walk home alone.
Be picked up by a friend or a trusted taxi.
Stick to well-lit main roads wherever possible.
Carry a personal alarm.
Do not ignore your instincts.
Det Supt Dave Morgan said: "People alone in parks at that time of night have been victims of similar incidents over the past six months and we would urge women in particular to follow the advice of the Daily Echo campaign and take basic crime prevention measures. If more people take notice of the campaign, hopefully it will prevent more attacks like this."
The teenage victim, who is from Southsea, left The Rhino Club off Bedford Place after an evening out with her boyfriend, intending to get a taxi home. But after an argument she walked alone to nearby Andrews Park, and called her grandmother to say she would be home soon. As she sat down she was approached by a stranger and, feeling scared, she began to walk away. She was then grabbed and indecently assaulted.
When she screamed the man ran away towards the subway in the park. Her attacker is described as white, in his mid-20s, around 5ft 7in, with a slightly stocky build, clean-shaven, with short dark hair, and wearing a T-shirt and jeans.
Anyone with information is urged to call DC Rob Kiely at Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545, or the free, anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
Be Safe Be Sensible already has the backing of Home Office minister and Southampton Itchen MP John Denham, city cabbies, Southampton Institute and First bus company.
If you want to support the campaign and get a copy of our safety poster, contact the newsdesk on 023 8042 4520 or e-mail newsdesk@soton-echo.co.uk.
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