Patrols stepped up following sexual exposure offences in Woking

Police patrols have been stepped up along the Basingstoke Canal towpath in Woking.

It is after a number of suspicious incidents and sexual exposure offences over the last few weeks.

Users of the towpath and Woking residents are being urged to exercise caution after a number of offences were reported to Surrey Police.

The most recent incident took place on Tuesday evening (1 December).

A man approached an elderly woman as she was walking along the towpath around 4.40pm.

She became concerned with his behaviour as he beckoned for her to go off the footpath, but she hit him over the head with her shopping bag before managing to run away.

The man carried on walking along the canal towards St John’s.

Surrey Police received a call at around 2:30pm reporting a sexual exposure in the same area.

Officers are still trying to establish whether these offences are linked.

Residents are being urged to take the necessary precautions in the meantime.

Woking Borough Commander Inspector Dave Bentley said:

“We have had a number of reports of suspicious incidents and sexual exposures along the Basingstoke Canal towpath over the last few weeks and officers are working tirelessly to establish any links and the pattern between these offences, which generally take place either between 7 and 8am or 4 and 6pm.

“I would also like to reassure the local community that we have stepped up our patrols, both in uniform and in plain clothes, in this area at the key times with the aim of deterring any further incidents, as well as providing a visible and reassuring presence.

“While we don’t want to alarm people unnecessarily, we would urge caution when walking along the towpath. We don’t want to stop people using it but we would advise keeping your wits about you and to report any suspicious activity immediately using 999.”

If you find yourself in a similar situation:

Trust your instincts and if you think a situation is getting worse, try not to get involved

Look for a way to escape;

Put distance between yourself and the other person if you are able to;

Call 999 if you can

If you’re unable to, then call police as soon as you can

Anyone with any information which could help with the investigation is asked to contact Surrey Police quoting PR/45.

If you do not wish to leave your name, please call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.