Worrying spate of street attacks

In recent weeks we have heard of attacks in the street, whereby several victims have been sexually or physically assaulted or have been involved in near-misses, having escaped more serious harm only due to the intervention of others or with witnesses scaring off the assailant.

What is happening on our streets here in Canterbury? Perhaps because there are fewer people about in the evenings, would-be attackers are sensing opportunities to strike unobserved?

Certainly, the street pastors, club door security etc have pretty much vanished with the Tier 3 closures and, with early winter darkness, walking around Canterbury on your own now doesn’t feel a safe thing to do. Lighting too must also play a part – lack of investment in and maintenance of our street lighting means there are pools of darkness around the city that many need to cross on their walk home.

That should not be the case – we all, young and old, male and female, have the right to go about our business whatever time of the day, free from the fear of possible attack.

Advice to carry a torch, ultraloud personal alarm and not to walk alone, is of course good advice – but it shouldn’t have to be.

If we all scuttle off the streets and cower behind our doors, we lose more than just the freedom and enjoyment of a walk in the dark, we compound it with fear that erodes our sense of neighbourliness and community and can start us all viewing another person out and about as a possible threat.

We need to act together to change this.

Pip Hazelton

Old Watling Street, Canterbury