'Canal Watch' launched to tackle sexual exposures in Woking

Police have launched a new ‘Canal Watch’ to avoid sexual exposures along the Basingstoke Canal towpath in Woking.

It follows several reports there dating back to 2019, with the latest suspicious incident taking place a little over three weeks ago.

A cash reward for information was offered earlier this year and officers believe they may have been committed by different offenders.

The initiative is the first of its kind in the south of England and has been launched in collaboration with Woking Borough Council, Neighbourhood Watch, Basingstoke Canal Authority and the Basingstoke Canal Society.

It will see volunteers patrol the towpath and report anything suspicious, as well as anti-social behaviour and degradation to the towpath, to the police or relevant authority.

Volunteers will be wearing highly visible marked tabards and will be there throughout the week to make sure those using the towpath feel as safe as possible.

However, volunteers will not be able to take reports of incidents from members of the public and these will need to be reported to the relevant authority directly.

Woking Borough Commander, Inspector Dave Bentley, said: “Everybody should feel safe while out and about in Woking and these incidents are a serious concern to us and to the local community. We have also released a number of appeals for information on social media and to local media outlets, which have resulted in some important information coming to light.

“We are working hard to identify the suspects who are committing these offences and we are hopeful that the launch of Canal Watch will not only deter the suspects from re-offending, but also help us to identify them."