Cleethorpes MP calls for improved street lighting after rape incident
A 15 year old boy was arrested last month on suspicion of rape after the incident on Fuller Street Bridge
A local MP has launched a petition for improved lighting around the North Wall area of Cleethorpes after a serious sexual assault.
A 15 year old boy was arrested last month on suspicion of rape after the incident on Fuller Street Bridge.
Humberside Police’s investigation continues and the boy remains on conditional bail.
Melanie Onn’s office has stated that, in the wake of the attack, many residents have reached out to express deep concerns about safety in the area, particularly over a lack of adequate lighting.
The Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP’s petition calls on North East Lincolnshire Council to take urgent action to improve safety measures, specifically by upgrading lighting around Fuller Street Bridge and the North Wall area. The petition can be viewed here: https://www.melanieonn.org.uk/action/fuller-street-bridge.
“I was deeply shocked and appalled to hear of the recent rape on Fuller Street Bridge,” said Ms Onn. “This horrific incident has understandably caused an immense amount of concern in our community.
“Many local people have rightly raised concerns about the lighting in the area,” she said. Ms Onn is working closely with Sidney Sussex Ward Cllrs Sophia Farren, Edward Kaczmarek, and Janet Haggis as well as the local authority and police, to ensure urgent improvements to safety measures.
“As part of this, I have launched a petition calling on the council to improve lighting in the area, and I will be writing to residents to update them on the action I am taking.”
Last year, Ms Onn hosted a major roundtable on the issue of violence against women and girls (VAWG) at Grimsby’s Centre4, which was virtually attended by safeguarding minister Jess Phillips MP. She also participated in the 16 Days of Action on VAWG, culminating in a ‘Reclaim the Night’ march in December hosted by the local North East Lincolnshire Reclaim the Night group. This was attended by representatives from Women’s Aid, as well as local councillors from a number of political parties.
North East Lincolnshire Council was approached for comment in light of the petition. They declined to, in light of the criminal investigation into the rape attack remaining active.
The council did, however, promote a ‘Reclaim the Night’ march due to take place in Cleethorpes on Friday, March 21, from 6.45pm at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre. This has been organised by North East Lincolnshire Community Partnership, which includes the police and council.
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