Would you bother reporting a flasher?

[ScurryHurry]

Dropped my 14 yr old Dd at dance tonight, parked up and a man crosses the road, stops directly behind my car, and gets his knob out (I was looking through rear view mirror).

I got out and basically told him to fuck off, which he did, there were a couple of people further up the road, but when I asked, they hadn't seen anything. I then just got on with my day. I didn't consider reporting it until I messaged DH who asked if I had. I have now filled in an online police report, but not sure what they can do really.

But, it got me thinking, if this happened/has happened to you, did you/would you report it?

Yes 100%.

They often escalate in their behaviour.

Yes, flashing is often the pre-curser to contact offences.

Yes, absolutely. It might be the first step towards more serious crimes.

I reported it but nothing came of it.

He was stood in the car park near my house for quite some time, but the police never showed up.

Yes, because they escalate.

Yes. Wayne Couzens started off as a flasher.

Yes.

I did when one exposed himself at my dd on her way home from school

They can look at cctv - in our case the man was standing at a bus stop and there was cctv on the road.

I didn’t when it happened to me, but I would since learning that the behaviour often escalates.

Yes you must, unfortunately this tends to be midway behaviour that ramps up for some into physically violent sex crimes.

Yes - it often leads to worse crimes and your report can build up a picture of behaviour. As pp said Wayne Couzens started as a flasher.

Yes, when I was about 10. Never told a soul for fear that I would be ‘told off’ (Am now 65 !) Wouldn’t hesitate now !!

You absolutely should. As pp said they escalate. Wayne Couzens was indecently exposing himself before he abducted and murdered Sarah Everard.

You absolutely must!!!

I had a man do this twice to me on the train. Third time he followed me and I ran to the nearby police station and reported it. Later that day, he got arrested for doing it to a child (I was 18 at the time)

they said the behaviour often escalated as the thrill wears off. They took it very seriously.

I would and I would also inform the dance school so they can be aware and warn people too.

I didn't but I was in a,secluded area and the man was masteurbating, a few feet in front of me I just quickly turned and got back to the main road ASAP.

I did and the police did actually turn up, although he’d gone by then. I would every time.

He might already be known to the police and might already be on the sex offenders register. If they aren’t informed then they can’t do much.
He might not be known, he might go on to offend but they won’t know that this has happened in the past.

The only way to manage risk is to be aware of it.

Bit mad that someone flashed near your daughter, outside of a leisure activity and you didn’t think to report it

How awful for you.

Yes absolutely. It usually escalates. They may already have reports and yours can assist with finding them.

I did,because there was every chance he would do it again. It was actually a secondary school lad and I saw him again in the street and started shouting at him. He looked terrified but maybe that's part of the thrill?

Definitely. The man who murdered Libby Squire used to expose himself. And as a PP said so did Wayne Couzens. It’s serious behaviour and indicates the potential to commit much more serious crime.

Yes, I walked my Dd in to dance and told her teacher what had happened. Dd was still in the car when it happened, but thankfully as she couldn't see through the rear view mirror didn't see anything.

There was an interesting episode of Its a Fair Cop (on bbc sounds ) about flashing and why it shouldn't be ignored.

I was going to say this.

Please report, it allows police to build a picture and they’re much likely to catch him if they know he’s in the area doing this. If no one reported it then a potentially dangerous man becomes emboldened and he will escalate more quickly. They always escalate. Please report.

Yes always.

Probably known to the police - they are often serial offenders.