WHY DIDN’T YOU WARN US ABOUT UNI SEX ATTACKS? Assault alert only made public weeks after first incident
STUDENTS BLAST POLICE OVER DELAY
POLICE have been accused of putting safety at risk after investigating a rape and a spate of sex attacks near Glasgow University and only telling students weeks later.
Warnings surrounding the four incidents were only issued for the first time on Tuesday – sparking a furious backlash.
The university’s student president said he was “incredibly angry” at the lack of information, while rector Aamer Anwar branded the timing of the alert “a disgrace”.
Other students told how they had been left too afraid to walk alone near the campus in light of the attacks.
Over the past month, a 20-year-old woman was subjected to a sexual assault close to the university library and three other victims have been attacked in the west end.
Police Scotland confirmed no public appeals were made at the time of the four assaults and, while they are still hunting the rapist who committed the most recent attack, a man has been charged in connection with the earlier assaults.
Glasgow University said it was only informed of the incidents by police on Tuesday and immediately issued guidance to students and raised security in the area.
Two sexual assaults took place in Lawrence Street,
Partick, and Napiershall Street, North Woodside, on October 17, followed by a third on Cranworth Street, Hillhead, on October 24.
A 34-year-old man has been charged in connection with the three incidents.
A week later, the 20-year-old victim was raped in Sutherland Lane, near the library, in the early hours of October 31.
The warning issued to students by the university by internal email and social media read: “There have been four alleged cases of sexual assault in the West End of Glasgow.
“Police Scotland have charged a man in connection with three of these assaults.
“Incidents like this are rare and student safety is of the utmost importance to the university. ”
Glasgow University Students’ Representative Council (SRC) president Scott Kirby said the warning came too late. He said: “It is unfathomable how this has not been communicated as students rightfully feel like they have been let down for not being made aware of these incidents.
“We are incredibly angry and as a priority we will be seeking assurances from the university and Police Scotland that this does not happen again as student safety is of utmost importance to us.”
In a tweet to the university, police and campus security, student Rebecca Smith said: “There should have been a message about this weeks ago, especially since one of the attacks was basically on campus.
“I’ve had my partner walking me home since the first attack and I’m disgusted women (and men) weren’t warned sooner.”
Anwar added: “The safety of our students should be paramount but if they don’t have the information, how can they take precautions?
“If sex attacks are taking place then our students have a right to know immediately.”
Responding to the backlash, the university tweeted: “We understand concerns re: the timing of our posts.
“As soon as Police Scotland made us aware of the assaults, we put advice out.”
Police Scotland said: “A 34-year-old man was arrested, charged and was subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal following a report of three sexual assaults in the West End of Glasgow on October 17 and October 24. He is due to appear at court at a later date.”
A Glasgow University spokeswoman said: “We have appealed to staff and students to share any concerns or information by contacting the university security team or Police Scotland.”