A warning has been given to lone drivers after the woman stopped her car when she saw the man lying on the ground and going to his aid
A warning has been issued to lone drivers after a woman was sexually assaulted as she helped a man. The victim spotted the man lying on the ground in a lay-by and rather than driver past went to see if he was OK.
Police say the good samaritan was then subjected to a sex attack. Now they are appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage as they hunt the assailant.
The incident happened in a lay-by on the A47 near Brundall in Norfolk on Monday, December 30 at about 8.50pm. Norfolk Police said: “The victim, who was driving towards the Brundall roundabout, reported seeing a man lying on the ground in the lay-by.
“When she pulled into the lay-by to check on the man’s welfare he sexually assaulted her. Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has relevant dashcam footage from the area around this time.”
Concerns about the safety of women driving alone have been raised previously. Michael Ellerby of LRB Consulting Ltd based in Loughborough, wrote a blog advising women to take a number of steps, reports OK Alone.
It said: “While this list is intended primarily for women drivers, many of the points are equally suited to male drivers too.” So next time you are driving alone it warns:
- Think about where and how you park your vehicle. When possible, park near the exit in a car park, or park in a well-lit area if it will be dark when you return. Point your vehicle in the direction you’ll want to leave so that you can quickly drive away if necessary.
- Always approach your car with the key in your hand.
- Always check the back seat of your car before getting in.
- Carry a loud alarm, preferably a torch alarm, handy in your pocket.
- Never leave anything that is (or appears to be) valuable on display – this may include a jacket, a box or a bag, etc. If you must leave them, lock them out of sight, such as in the boot.
- Do not respond to other people’s bad or aggressive driving – several fights have started this way.
- If you have a minor accident, be aware of the risks in getting out of your vehicle, particularly if the other person is showing signs of anger.
- Open the window a crack and make the other person come to you.
- Keep your temper and try to persuade them to keep theirs.
- Keep your doors locked and your windows up when in any built up area.
- Always lock your doors while paying for fuel especially at a large petrol station.
- Carry a map so you do not have to stop to ask directions (even if you have Sat Nav, it can fail).
- If (you think) someone is following you, do not lead them to your house. Instead, drive to a crowded place or to a police station.
- Make sure your car is in good working order (keep it serviced and maintained) with enough fuel for the journey.
- Consider the need for carrying spare fuel so that you do not get stranded.
- If your car starts to splutter or sounds unhealthy, drive to a garage or to the nearest telephone on the motorway. Do not “limp” on until it dies (potentially) in the middle of nowhere.
- If you do break down, try to decide whether to lock yourself in and wait for help.
- If you do breakdown on a motorway, remember that the hard shoulder is a dangerous place. You’re more likely to be injured sitting in your car than attacked sitting at the top of the bank waiting for your breakdown service.
- If, as a woman driver, you have broken down and a man approaches offering to help, wind your window down a crack and politely say “Thank you, my husband is on his way”.
- If someone tries to flag you down, don’t stop, but report the incident to the police in case it’s a genuine emergency.
- Try to be as anonymous as possible with your car.
- Don’t provide a potential rapist with an introduction line by putting stickers all over the car.
- Let people know where you’re going and what time you expect to arrive, then if you don’t arrive they will come looking for you.
- Some car alarms can be fitted with a personal attack button.
Anyone with information about the attack or the suspect is asked to contact Norfolk Police quoting reference 36/1374/25. You can acontact them via the website: https://www.norfolk.police.uk/tell-us, or email them at: Allan.Jennings@norfolk.police.uk.
Alternatively you can phione 101. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
