Footpath closed following rape, council pledges to install CCTV
A FOOTPATH where a woman was raped on Bank Holiday Monday has been closed by Wokingham Borough Council. And when it re-opens, it will be with CCTV installed.
Cllr Philip Mirfin unveiled the plans at a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council's Executive committee on Thursday, May 31.
Thames Valley Police revealed just after we had gone to press last Wednesday that the victim, who is in her 20s, was attacked while walking through the footpath that links Shute End to Elms Road and goes through the former Paddocks car park.
She was approached by two men, one of whom subsequently raped her. Police said that she managed to break free from the offender and leave the scene.
The incident took place between 3pm and 8pm on Monday, May 28. No description of the offender or the man accompanying him is currently available.
Speaking at the Executive meeting, Cllr Philip Mirfin pledged action.
“We are all very shocked to learn of the incident at the former Paddocks car park on Bank Holiday Monday. Our thoughts are with the victim during this really difficult time.
“Wokingham is a safe town. Incidents like this are rare but nonetheless reports of this nature will, quite understandably, cause concern for our community.
“We are reviewing the area in light of the incident and will very shortly be installing CCTV on the walkway through the former Paddocks car park.
“We will, of course, assist Thames Valley Police with the ongoing investigation as appropriate.”
The following day, the council issued a statement saying that the footpath was to be closed for two weeks.
The statement reads: “Following the incident on Monday in the former Paddocks car park in Wokingham, we have carried out a review of the area and footpath this morning.
“A number of potential improvements have been identified.
“These will take some time to implement and therefore we have decided to temporarily close this footpath with immediate effect for a period of up to two weeks.
“We will then undertake a further review before a formal decision is made on whether we re-open it. We will update you as soon as we can.”
The police has promised an increased presence in Wokingham to reassure the public.
It has also delivered letters to homes surrounding the former car park, which is part of the Elms Field regeneration.
In information released by Thames Valley Police, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Stone, from Berkshire Force CID, said: “Detectives are currently working to establish the circumstances of this incident.
“I would like to appeal to anyone who witnessed what happened or who saw two men acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the incident on Bank Holiday Monday, to speak to police.
“If you have any information, regardless of how insignificant you think it may be, please come forward and speak to officers.
“The victim is being offered the support of a specially trained officer at this extremely difficult time.”
Chief Inspector Andrew Cranidge, Deputy Local Policing Area Commander for Wokingham, said: “I appreciate reports of this nature are concerning to people in the local community however an investigation is underway to determine what has occurred.
“People in Wokingham are likely to notice an increased police presence in the area while enquiries are ongoing.
“If anyone has any concerns or wishes to raise anything, they can approach and speak to an officer in the area or call our non-emergency number 101.”
“If you have any information that may assist the investigation then please contact the police on 101 quoting URN 1079 on the 30th May 2018.”