Sexual predators targeting women living alone

Women living alone in the Calliaqua district are being asked to take extra precautions to protect themselves, following an increase in sexual assaults in that area.{{more}}

Assistant Superinten­dent of Police (ASP) Jonathan Nichols confirmed to SEARCHLIGHT yesterday, that in the last few months, there has been an increase in rapes in that district, with three having taken place within the last week.

Nichols said the assaults have been taking place in the Calliaqua, Brighton and Prospect areas.

He further confirmed that sometime last week, two women living together were raped and another woman, who lives alone, suffered the same fate.

According to the head of the Police Public Relations Department, on each occasion, there were two assailants and they were armed with a gun and knife.

“They seem to be travelling in pairs when they attack,” Nichols said.

The ASP also stated that the perpetrators seem to be targeting women living alone or without male companions.

“We are asking persons in these districts to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves,” Nichols urged.

Nichols made an appeal to the public to contact the Calliaqua police station with any information that will be useful to the police in their investigations. (KW)