Derry PSNI 'reassurance' for women following recent attacks in city area

The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Derry City and Strabane District Commander, Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney has committed to continue with a "high-visibility" presence in Derry after a number of attacks on women.

She has said that she wants to ‘ensure women and girls feel safe and empowered to go about their lives without fear’.

It follows a woman being attacked by a male with a knife in Drumahoe Park on Friday evening, before a woman was attacked in the Top of the Hill Park area on Saturday afternoon.

The PSNI are currently investigating both incidents, including the possibility of the two incidents being linked.

However, Chief Superintendent Kearney stated that they are ot linked to the attacks in the city centre last week.

She said: “At around 10pm on Friday evening, 1st November, a woman in her 20s was walking in Drumahoe Park in the city, when she was attacked by a male carrying a knife. She managed to break free and run for help.

“Shortly before 3pm on Saturday afternoon, 2nd November, a woman aged in her 40s was walking her dog in Top of the Hill Park area in the Waterside, when she was also attacked by a male carrying a knife. She called out for help and swung her dog lead at him, prompting him to run off in the direction of Corrody Road. He is described as a white man in his 20s, around 5’ 10” tall with a slim build and was wearing all black clothing. He had his hoody pulled tight around his face.

“Officers responded quickly to both reports and conducted thorough searches, however the attacker had left the area.

“Detectives are investigating the possibility that the attack in Drumahoe on Friday night is linked to the attack in the Top of the Hill area on Saturday.”

Chief Superintendent Kearney also provided reassurance to the local community, adding: “We understand the concern these attacks will have on the local community, however, I want to reassure residents of Derry / Londonderry that we will have an increased high visibility police presence in key areas, including our local parks, which will continue throughout the city over the coming days.

“I can assure residents that there is no link to the attacks in the city centre last week. In both of those cases a suspect has been identified and those cases are ongoing.

“We are engaging with our communities and partners in the city around what we can do, as a collective, to ensure women and girls feel safe and empowered to go about their lives without fear.

“I would ask that if you notice someone acting suspiciously or if a person’s behaviour causes you concern, do not approach and instead call police immediately.

“Witnesses or anyone with information that could potentially assist our investigations can call 101 or submit online via https://www.psni.police.uk/report.”

Following the spate of attacks a rally will be held in Guildhall Square on Friday, November 8 at 6.15pm.

Local SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid is one of those organising the rally, which will feature a range of speakers.

Cllr McDaid said: “Women across our city are living in fear after the events of the past week. We have seen four violent attacks on women who were just going about their lives, while walking home or out walking their dog. Nobody should be subjected to something like this and there will be a lasting impact on the victims of these horrific attacks.

“We cannot allow this to pass without a proper response. We are seeing self-defence classes for women reaching maximum capacity and discussions around how women stay safe are becoming an everyday reality. This isn’t an issue that has popped up this week, having to take safety precautions in normal situations is just part of life as a woman and points to a real sickness within our society.

“I think it’s really important that we come together as a city on Friday night to send a powerful message that this violence against women and girls must end. Everyone has their part to play in tackling this issue, we need a much improved response from the Executive, but we also need to see people taking responsibility for the actions and attitudes that have left women feeling unsafe in their own city.”

Meanwhile, a public meeting will be held in St. Columb’s Hall on Thursday to discuss violence against women and girls after a series of sexual assaults in Derry.

Alliance for Choice Derry, the pro-choice campaign group, have called the meeting for 7pm on Thursday.

“Following the recent string of attacks against women and girls in Derry, we understand people are scared, exhausted and angered.

“We want you to get involved and have your voice heard. We want our community to come together to create a list of demands we can campaign around, to make things better for our sisters,” the group stated.

People can register to attend at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk