Police ‘file’ probe after Gosport sex attack stalemate

POLICE have shelved an investigation into an alleged Gosport sex attack after being unable to make any progress since the incident was reported more than four months ago.

But in a press release issued today, Monday, August 15, Hampshire Constabulary said the situation would be reviewed if any fresh evidence surface.

Officers had received a report that at about 7.50pm on Tuesday, April 19, a woman in her 20s was found in a distressed state on a cycle path between Long Drive and Rowner Lane.

The woman told officers she had been forced into an orange-coloured van earlier that afternoon by a stranger in Station Road, before being physically assaulted in an area of woodland.

According to this week’s statement, police, “have invested a significant amount of time investigating the allegation. This has included viewing all available CCTV and Ring Doorbell camera footage from the key areas identified by the investigation and speaking to local residents, in addition to conducting patrols.”

However: “Following extensive enquiries, and on the basis of all information obtained by police, this incident has now been filed pending any further information coming to light.”

Chief Inspector Fifi Gulam-Husen, district commander for policing in Fareham and Gosport, said: “The incident that was reported to police understandably caused significant concern in the local community.

“Please be reassured that our response teams and neighbourhoods officers have been actively patrolling key areas identified to keep the public safe. This has run in tandem with the extensive enquiries carried out both in public and behind the scenes by the investigation team, who have thoroughly examined every piece of information made available to them.”

“No suspect and no further information relating to this incident has been identified, and we have received no further reports from other members of the public of crimes of this nature since. A decision has now been made to file this investigation pending any further information coming to light.”

“I want everyone in Gosport to know that officers will do everything in their power to follow up every available line of enquiry to investigate serious allegations such as these.”

Concerns

“We are also working very closely with partners in Gosport, including Gosport Borough Council, to address concerns around public safety and violence perpetrated against women and girls.”

“This issue is of particular concern to women and girls nationally, and we have raised this as a priority locally. As partners we are developing plans to provide better surety and protection to people in Fareham & Gosport.”

“This will involve a switch in focus for police officers, particularly in the night time economy. Licensing teams will continue to work closely with venues such as pubs, clubs and bars to provide a safer space for customers. Patrolling officers will also be focusing on identifying individuals at risk and spotting the signs and behavioural traits of potential offenders, such as those causing harassment, alarm, distress, or displaying misogynistic behaviour.

“The Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner in Hampshire have also recently been awarded £733,551.19 by the Home Office in the fourth round of the Safer Streets funding to help tackle these issues in Portsmouth, Gosport, Fareham, Havant and on the Isle of Wight. More on that can be read via the link here: https://www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/making-your-streets-safer”.

“With our partners we will also be analysing the information reported through the StreetSafe tool, which was set up by the Home Office last year. StreetSafe is not a tool to report crime, but instead enables people to report specific concerns or environmental factors that make them feel unsafe in their neighbourhood. This could be poor street lighting, abandoned buildings, or areas where certain individuals have behaved in a way to make you feel intimidated, for example.”

“We encourage members of the public to make use of this tool so police and partners can understand what is making you feel unsafe and what we can do to address this. You can access the StreetSafe tool here: https://www.police.uk/pu/notices/streetsafe/street-safe.”

“We also urge anyone who has witnessed suspicious behaviour in their local area, or has witnessed or been a victim of abuse, violence, or harassment, to please report this to police on 101 or via the report tool on the Hampshire Constabulary website. Dial 999 if a crime is in progress.”

PICTURED ABOVE: Graphic used by Hampshire Police when updating the public (use permission granted)