Police warn of attacks at Indian Bay, Villa Beaches

Persons who may feel the need to go to the beach at night are being advised to do so in groups.

This warning has come from head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the Calliaqua Police Station, Superintendent Brinsley Ballantyne, in the wake of a number of reports of attacks on persons at the Indian Bay and Villa Beaches over the past month.{{more}}

Based on the description of the attacker given by several persons, police are working on the theory that the beach attacks have been carried out by the same man.

Ballantyne told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday that persons should be aware of the perils of going to the beach at night in couples. “I will not advise anyone to do this because if someone comes to attack a group, it would be almost impossible for them to do so,” Ballantyne noted.

SEARCHLIGHT understands that an attack took place on a 12-year-old girl at Indian Bay on September 14. A reliable police source said that the 12-year-old, who is in the habit of running away from her home in Mesopotamia, went to Walvaroo on the night of the incident. At about 9pm, the girl said she was bored and wanted to go for a walk, so she told a boy to go with her to Indian Bay. While there, a masked man attacked her and made her perform oral sex on him before raping her.

The boy she was with managed to run for assistance, but on his return, he met the girl walking in his direction. The matter was reported to the Calliaqua Police Station.

Over the last weekend, reports are that several gunshots were heard coming from the Indian Bay beach.

As a result of the attacks, persons in and around the areas have formed a group called the Indian Bay / Villa / Rose Cottage Community Association to help to fight the problem of rising crime.

Superintendent Ballantyne noted that the perpetrator(s) appear to be analyzing the movements of the police in the area, which is making it difficult for a capture. “We have to change our movements, but we are continuing strongly with our foot, mobile and beach patrols in our efforts to stop this act,” Ballantyne said.

In 2008, SEARCHLIGHT reported extensively on a knife wielding rapist who was believed to be responsible for 20 or so cases of sexual assault or rape in the areas of Arnos Vale, Fountain and Villa.(KW)