Exeter police statement after string of alleged sex attacks

Three assaults have been reported in less than two weeks

Devon & Cornwall Police has issued a statement after three reports of sex crimes in Exeter city centre in less than two weeks. While the force says the incidents are unconnected, they have responded to fears about women's safety, particularly in light of the recent return of university students to the city.

Over the last two weeks, there have been three reports of rape or sexual assault in the city centre at night. This has resulted in a visible police presence as officers taped off crime scenes.

The first in the string of offences was an alleged rape behind The Chevalier Inn pub on Fore Street in the early hours of Sunday, September 15. Abdullah Ahmed Saed, 23 and of Rolle Street, Exmouth, appeared at Exeter Magistrates' Court on September 17 charged with the offence. He is due to appear at Exeter Crown Court on October 18. Police say he will be held in custody in the meantime.

Just over a week later, police were called to nearby Little Southernhay Street, which runs parallel to the City Wall, after a report of a sexual assault. So far, no arrests have been confirmed by the force but they say their investigation is ongoing and have asked anyone with information to come forward.

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The city was once again hit by another report of a sexual crime yesterday (September 26), this time on Catherine Street, which is just around the corner from the Cathedral. A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of rape and has been released on bail until December 27.

Devon & Cornwall Police's lead for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Chief Inspector Dawn Perriam has acknowledged growing concerns about women's safety and says officers are doing "all that we can" to address the issue. That includes plain clothes and uniformed patrols in areas where people have reported feeling unsafe, such as some of the city's night time economy hotspots.

Chief Inspector Dawn Perriam, tactical lead for VAWG, said: "We are aware of three separate incidents which have taken place over the last three weeks in Exeter.

"Although understandably concerning, I want to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to make sure that Exeter is a safe place for those visiting and living here. Women and girls should be able to go out without the fear or threat of harm.

"The three incidents are not linked, and we have made swift arrests in relation to two of the incidents.

"The first incident took place on Fore Street in Exeter, at around 3am on Sunday 15 September. A cordon was put in place as officers carried out an investigation of the scene.

"A 23-year-old man from London was quickly arrested on suspicion of rape and has since been charged and remanded into custody ahead of his next court appearance.

"The second incident reported to us which happened on Monday 23 September on Little Southernhay Street. A scene guard was put in place while officers carried out forensic enquiries.

"Officers continue to investigate the incident and support the victim. Anyone who has any information is asked to contact police via out website or by calling 101 quoting 50240241725. Enquiries are very much ongoing into this offence.

"The third report happened in the early hours of Thursday 26 September in Exeter City Centre. A scene guard was again put in place at Catherine Street. A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of rape and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

"The victim is being supported by specially trained officers as enquiries continue. Anyone who has any information is asked to contact us quoting 50240243917.

"We have dedicated neighbourhood teams in the City Centre, and we would encourage anyone with concerns to speak to officers.

"We also have plain clothed and uniformed patrols in and around the city’s nightspots, and in areas where people have reported feeling unsafe or subject of unwanted behaviour. Officers undertaking these patrols will hold offenders to account, and provide a reassuring, visible, and approachable presence.

"We are doing all that we can to tackle violence against women and girls as this is something that we will not tolerate. We will do all that we can to bring those responsible to justice and ensure Exeter remains a safe place for people to live and visit."

The force has also said it carries out an initiative dubbed Project Nighteye, which aims to spot predatory behaviour and send officers to intervene before crimes take place. It says it wants to make night time "a hostile environment for men intent on harassment, sexual or physical violence".

A spokesperson for Devon & Cornwall Police said: "Devon and Cornwall Police are committed to tackling violence against women and girls and have been delivering Project Nighteye, a policing approach that makes the evening and night time a hostile environment for men intent on harassment, sexual or physical violence.

"The aim is to prevent sexual and other crimes by proactively identifying sexual predatory behaviour, deploying officers to these locations, or taking preventative steps to disrupt these types of behaviours.

"One tactic used within Project Nighteye is Project Vigilant involving specially trained officers to patrol outside bars and clubs between specific times and in places that are likely to have had crimes reported."