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.

How can you possibly tell?

@StealthPolarBear

How can you possibly tell?

Normally the penis gives it away that its a man flashing

I'm afraid that's no longer the case. Lots of women with penises are now committing sex crimes.
Sounds like utter madness? Join the club.

I'd rather be safe than sorry and avoid this place. Is there a description of him?

In all seriousness it sounds like this is going on up and down the country. Is this normal-has it got worse recently?

Over 30 years ago near where I live a lady was running with her dog and was killed by a flasher who had started grabbing people.
It was in the local press (no FB then) to stay away but as it was 9.30am the lady thought it was safe.
The dog was stabbed as well. It's still unsolved.
Please OP change your route better safe than sorry.

Can you organise to run with others? Take a rape alarm?
Go on twitter and ask why are the police not doing anything?
Annoying as it is, please don't risk your personal safety.
There's a flasher where I live that then escalated. Not caught to my knowledge. They are everywhere sadly.

He seems to be escalating so if avoid

Although there was someone in our area recently who was following joggers and one young women was assaulted. This wasn't even in a secluded area.

We also have a naked rambled in the local woods who apparently has been doing naked dog walks for years early in the mornings. The police are aware and are not interested in that one 😏

Is he just flashing women ?
It sounds an easy job to catch him but obviously he'll hide if anyone looks like police.

@StealthPolarBear

In all seriousness it sounds like this is going on up and down the country. Is this normal-has it got worse recently?

I'm not sure, I'm definitely noticing more reports of incidents of indecent exposure in the media and on social media, but perhaps it's just being taken more seriously and talked about more?

There was a man who indecently exposed himself to some girls in my year at secondary school, in the school grounds. It all seemed a bit of a laugh back then . Although we did all get given personal rape alarms shortly afterwards, which was...not reassuring.

No, incase his behaviour escalates. Please dont get into any physical contact unless you are in immediate danger.

I agree with everyone else OP, try to run with someone else or a dog (although that usually only helps deter predators if the dog is a big or potentially agressive breed).

That It's A Fair Cop episode was excellent. It was called Exposure. You can find it here or on the BBC Sounds app.

Terrifying how frequently this is happening.

The best fight is the one you can get out of. Don't bother attempting to put yourself in harm's way. It's not worth it. In your situation, I would change route. Or jog in company.

Last year we had someone following women in our local woods. The police started patrolling it on foot daily.

Surely your local police should be doing something like that?

It really pisses me off that women cannot enjoy the beauty and peace of nature as freely as men. I always feel like I have to check over my shoulder when heading in to woods or quiet spots on my own.

I wouldn't if I were you OP. Not worth it.

It's very depressing how common this seems to be. If I ever move back to the UK I'll definitely be getting a nice big dog.

Flashing looks quite ridiculous from an unhinged man. But talking of men, are there ever any men walkers/runners etc passing by, when flashing is apparent, or do the flashers just hide, and wait for a woman going passed before exposing themselves.Surely they must get noticed by a man now and again.

I got flashed at many many years ago when I lived up in Derbyshire, I was walking down a little road, to the railway station. There was a little grubby looking older man, in the proverbial dirty raincoat, it was mid afternoon, The man was looking over some metal railings,into a small paint factory.
He looked my way as I was approaching, as I was passing, he whipped open his dirty coat, and his very small dangly appendage was on view. I was rushing to meet a train, so I just said, What the hell is that, and started laughing. He immediately swooshed his coat around himself,and ran off down the road, and tripped off the kerb , falling into the road.

I did not look back, so don't know if he got run over, as there were a few cars going by. I was meeting my late elderly Mum off the train, but wished she has seen this old flasher, and enjoyed her reaction at seeing the scene unfold !

@CaptainMyCaptain there have been voilent attacks on women in a woodland in Dulwich reported to be by a 'young male' per the victims, and the police put out a statement saying they have arrested the suspect and it is a 53 year old woman who "had initially been mistaken for a man"

Strange? No.

www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/exclusive-three-more-women-attacked-by-knife-wielding-suspect-in-east-dulwich/

As StealthPolarBear says, there has been a huge uptick in violent and sex crimes being recorded as being committed by women. Even though in many cases they have been committed by people who were actually born male but are now women.

So yes, you don't know if a flasher with a penis is a man or a women anymore.

But to the topic at hand - no I would not run in thoses woods unless I was with other people.

flashing often escalates ad as the Dulwich attacks show the police don't even attend 999 calls when women are attacked with knives and have their heads bashed against walls in front of their young children, so very little help for your 'normal' sexual assault.

Bloody hell no. And that’s reminded me that we had a grabber in my town a few months ago, and it all went quiet so I bet they didn’t catch anyone.

I think the police should put warning signs up with a description of the offender. It was very low key here, most people were probably unaware, and I think it’s only fair that we should be warned.

This is obviously very common looking at all the guesses about where it is. In a few more posts we’ll have covered the alphabet.

I know it's shit that women generally are expected to assume they are constantly at risk and behave accordingly.

I had the same fuck it attitude.

However as pps have said, sex offender behaviour escalates. Grabbing at people is a big escalation.

I wouldn't do it.

I'm interested in the police message. They said he was at large. What advice have they given?

Also if there's been 12 reports then there's likely been way more incidents. Most women don't report. So he's really prolific.

They have 12 descriptions and know where he operates. Why the hell didn't they eg get s female officer running about with backup. It would have been pretty likely to work, he seems to be at it all the time.

Now he just changes location and keeps at it...

Also it seems that with lockdown Street harrassment and this type of crime have increased.

It makes me really angry that our routines are disrupted but I would say keep yourself safe. I had something happen recently and reluctantly thought I can't walk around late at night again.

It's really horrible to intrude on someone in this manner, but protect yourself. We shouldn't have to, but...