There have now been more than a dozen reports of a flasher in my local woodland

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Popular with runners and dog walkers, a place where I often run alone myself.

Police say they've had this many reports, it's not just social media stuff.

It's only a small area. The main trail where these events have all taken place is about 2 miles long.

In the last 2 reports he has not "just" exposed himself but grabbed women too.

How hard can it be to catch him? It feels like nothing is being done although police and the local councillor say they're making every effort etc.

I have continued to run there, refusing to be beaten by him, but I'm starting to waiver now. Would you? There's a part of me that hopes I do see him so I can perform some sort of knee to the nuts and a citizen's arrest (is that even a thing?) but I realise that's naive.

Honestly, no. I wouldn't. I know others would carry on though. It has to be your own risk assessment.

And yes, I do think it's pathetic that more effort isn't expended to catch these perverts before they escalate to more violent criminality.

The flashing would annoy me but not stop me.

The grabbing would give me pause for thought as it sounds like he’s escalating.

As much as I’d hate myself for doing it, I’d probably make small changes to minimise my risk a little.

It sounds like the police are not doing much about it? They were brilliant in our area when there were reports of a flasher, although they’ve completely given up trying to stop the doggers (who are admittedly peaceful, and at least seem to deter the fly tippers…)

No, I wouldn't - you cannot predict the mental affects of a traumatic incident, and for some they have long lasting consequences.

I would run elsewhere until he moves on (as I assume the police will not do anything about this, like with so many cases).

Not a chance. You dont know you would fight you could freeze and end up in a worse situation

I wouldn't, not because of the flashing, but because it usually escalates.

I wouldn't run there if he's now grabbing people. I'd also probably try and stick some posters up warning people at entry/exit points. If the council allowed.

They need some temporary cameras dotted around

I'd stop.

As PP have said, flashing usually escalates. He knows he's been reported and he's still doing it. He's now grabbing women.

I read too much True Crime but the police know how these things work, hopefully they really are truly hard to get him before the worst happens.

One woman running alone where this guy is operating isn't making a grand protest. She's risking her life.

I know it’s unlikely, and there is unfortunately more than one flasher in the country, but you don’t live in a town beginning with G? Just I read reports of a local flasher recently and would want to know if it’s the same one that is escalating.

I wouldn't carry on running there. Not unless you're super fast and even then you run the risk of being jumped out at. These things can escalate. Look at the poor PCSO killed the other week while walking her dog.

Is this a place beginning with c? The exact thing is happening in our area too. A path along a wooded area. There have been reports of someone jumping out and trying to grab people. I've completely changed where I run now even though I take my dog with me. Their doesn't seem to be any action taken to catch the person but maybe stuff is going on behind the scenes.

These things escalate. Stay away

I'd run with a female friend or a dog for company. Running alone is too much of a risk in those circumstances.

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No, it's not a C or a G, it seems there's a lot of it about.

@Mintjulia

I'd run with a female friend or a dog for company. Running alone is too much of a risk in those circumstances.

Yeah, you could train the dog to go for disappointing looking sausage and do the police's work for them.

I wouldn't run there for now, I know that is defeatist but honestly in this case I wouldn't be bothered about proving a point.

We had this problem where I live a few months ago. They did catch him in the end. They get over confident. The police didn't seem to be doing anything but obvs they were behind the scenes!

Hopefully they catch your local one too!! I get that you don't want him to beat you but also you must keep yourself safe!!

Is it A?

[quote MistySkiesAfterRain]Op do you carry a personal alarm? I recommend this. I have built up enough rewards to get a free one, if you want it PM me.
empoweredbyashley.com/[/quote]
Or an attack spray.

Not in Middlesex (or what used to be Middlesex) is it?

Christ it's depressing that so many posts are "is it so-and-so because we've got one too".

None of the guesses are right so far, which is really awful

No. Please don’t OP. Flashing is often the start of more serious crimes.

We had something similar round us (not flashing, but sexual assault) the police took it very seriously and asked everyone to report any incidents to them, and they had him caught in a few days.

The guy was basically up and down the canal on his bike, slapping the bums of women who were out walking or jogging etc as he went past.

No, I wouldn't run until he was caught since the risks are too high at the moment. You are right that the knee to the nuts is naive since he could easily overpower you and freezing is a normal trauma response.

I also hope this bastard is caught soon as well as all the other flashers up and down the country.

BBC sounds has a Podcast called ‘Fair cop’ and they were discussing a similar situation and they said behaviour like this normally escalates so no I wouldn’t go into the woods for now.