Police have released CCTV footage of a man in connection with a sexual assault.
The man is seen clearly on the footage following the 20-year-old from Park Place in Cathays, Cardiff, to Cathays Terrace, where she was assaulted.
In the footage, captured by numerous cameras throughout the area around 3.30am on Sunday, September 26, the man is seen parking his car before catching up with the girl and putting his arm around her.
Detective Inspector Tudor Thomas, of Roath and Cathays CID, said: “This incident has left the young woman extremely upset and she describes it as the worst thing that has ever happened to her.
“I would like to reassure the community that we are fully investigating this serious incident and would appeal for anyone with information to contact us no matter how insignificant it might seem.
“We are keen to identify the individual on CCTV and we would ask him, or anyone who recognises him, to contact South Wales Police.”
Latest Home Office crime figures show a 13% reduction in sexual offences, or 48 fewer crimes, in Cardiff during the 12 months to June 2010, when compared with the same period the year before.
But Det Insp Thomas added: “I would take this opportunity to advise people when returning home from a night out to do so in pairs or groups and to stick to well-lit areas.”
Rose Savage, welfare, campaigns and communications officer for Cardiff Students’ Union, said: “Firstly, we regret to be informed of this incidence happening in the locality.
“As a students’ union we strive to inform our students of best practice on nights out, such as not walking home alone, getting into registered taxis, letting a friend know your location. We also work closely with the university in providing reduced price personal attack alarms for the student body.
“Further to this, a zero tolerance to sexual harassment campaign was initiated during freshers’ week, informing the student body of what is and is not appropriate behaviour to be directed towards someone. This received good feedback and was encouraged by South Wales Police.
“The intentions of the students’ union are to develop this campaign across campus to do more for our students and with a view to reduce incidents such as this, as we believe more can always be done to protect students in these matters.
“We are committed to our student body in offering support and guidance to students who need it and also encourage the support and advice to be sought.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cathays CID on 029 2052 7267 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The scary thing is, it’s not that far away from where I live, it’s the route many of my friends walk home from work, and around the area some of my friends live.
Just makes you think, the world isn’t what it used to be, and just isn’t a safe place to be anymore without danger lurking around the corner.
It’s sad that society has come to this, but good on the police for getting on the case, and I hope that this man is caught.
The only reason I knew about this was because one of my friends sent it to me:
Hey I wanted to make you girls aware of this as alot of us girls walk home alone after closes. The link below is cctv footage of a girl being followed before being attacked minuets from my house, she was walking the same route that I walk home from work. It happened a few weeks ago and i only heard about this last night. Please can you make anyone who wants to walk home alone about this, because the scary thing about this footage is that there are peiple about and the security office for Cardiff Uni is 100s of meters away. – Ali
BE CAREFUL GIRLS!
Love Love
Sophie
xx
sophielouisekish.co.uk 