MEN have been urged to "change their behaviour" after a teenage girl was approached by a stranger and asked “personal questions” as she waited for a bus.
Essex Police are investigating reports a man acted suspiciously towards a 15-year-old girl in Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, at about 1.30pm on October 1.
The teenager was waiting at a bus stop in the area when a car, described as being a light blue or silver saloon, came to a stop near to where she was standing.
The driver then brazenly started asking the young girl personal questions and when she did not reply, he suddenly fled the scene.
The concerning incident occurred just days after police officer Wayne Couzens was sentenced to a whole-life term for the murder of Sarah Everard.
The 33-year-old marketing executive was kidnapped in South London earlier this year by Couzens, who falsely arrested her before raping and strangling her.
Her death and subsequent trial shocked and impacted the entire nation and reignited over how society can eradicate male violence towards women.
Since Sarah’s murder 80 other women have reportedly been killed at the hands of men, while 618,000 women experienced sexual assault in the year to March 2020.
Tim Young, Colchester councillor for Greenstead, the ward in which the 15-year-old was targeted, has now urged men to change their ways and call out others.
He said: “This incident in Colchester is really a shocking one to hear about but hopefully the perpetrator will be found quickly and questioned.
“Women and young girls should be able to go out and feel safe and not have to worry about being harassed - we need to treat with women with respect and dignity.
“It is time for men to look at their behaviour, not just in light of what has happened but also for common decency - men’s behaviour has got to change, not women’s.
“I hope police are taking this very seriously and if members of the community can help in anyway then please do contact the police.”
A spokesman for Essex Police said the force’s officers are now looking into the incident and are also appealing for information.
“We are appealing for info following reports of a man acting suspiciously towards a 15-year-old girl in Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester,” they said.
“At about 1.30pm on October 1, a man in a light blue or silver saloon car stopped to talk to a girl while she was waiting at a bus stop.
“He began asking her personal questions and when she did not reply, he drove away. Call 101 or with information and please cite 42/214377/21.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel