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?

I did jury duty a while back and one of the cases was a flasher, because one of the cases was only 1 person saw it the whole case was dismissed and the CPS would have to decide if to go ahead with recharging him with just the one offence. So wrong as with what we had heard so far he was so guilty.

I would have reported immediately.

thankfully I currently live in a place that take things like this seriously and probably would arrive within minutes. I’ve lived in other cities where the police might not care.

Yes absolutely, even if it well after the event / too late send anyone out. If they’ve got the data they might be able to link it to other incidents.

Thanks all, looks like you're all in agreement and I was right to report.

Absolutely this is how Wayne Cozens started off.

I have been flashed at and reported it. The police took it very seriously and in a nutshell he was identified. They basically said to me he was known to them. So yes it should be reported every time.

As others have said it can escalate. Sex crimes are generally about getting off on power and intimidation. Flashers definitely do that, so to me it's only one step to physical sexual assault.

Yes, My husband’s ex wife reported a guy last year and luckily the police were very close by and caught him minutes later (London train station) DNA taken at the arrest linked him to 4 other sexual assaults some more serious than flashing. He got 4 years!! Always report these men, absolutely disgusting!

Yes, I would report it, because often 'flashers' behaviours escalate, into more serious sexual offences. I was around 13/14 years old and my friend and I were walking through public gardens near our hometown, after a morning of clothes shopping. A man jumped out the bushes in front of us with his dick out, and was rubbing it - we were so shocked, we just screamed and ran off in the opposite direction. I didn't tell my Mum in case she stopped me going shopping with my friend, on the bus on our own.

YES!

Of course

What a silly thing to ask

YES. Not that they’d do much. Wayne couzens started flashing before he killed poor Sarah. Nobody did anything.

But I’d report especially if he was doing it in front of children.

is there a possibility there was CCTV nearby? Maybe worth doing a shoutout on local FB for dash cam footage?

unfortunately if no proof I doubt much can be done. It’s awful isn’t it

Yes. Flashed at you. Got short shrift from a confident woman.
Could be your daughter next time.

If it ever happens to you again, take a photograph.

Your husband was right to tell you to report. You weren't too bothered to let him maraud around near a girls dance class. Never fails to astound me how bad Brits are at reporting crimes 'they won't do anything' is letting the police off. The crime needs to be reported.

Yes! Potential rapist.

Always. Because they always escalate.

This is ridiculous. Any man could be outside a dance class, someone picking up their child like Op.

@ScurryHurry on line though I don't think that process is best quick

DH reported one, I’m not going to go into specifics but will say he wasn’t the intended victim but saw it all anyway. Anyway it went to court, he testified and the guy got a prison sentence. So absolutely report it.

I didn’t but it was abroad and I think they liked to flash tourists if possible as they wouldn’t be taken seriously. One man used to park outside the youth hostel “would you like to fuck an Italian boy”. My overriding memory of Verona is him in his silver smart car wanking off.

Then some bloke clad head to toe in orange Lycra in Spain.

So many posters missing the fact that OP did report it

You should, it might add to existing cases / sightings.

YES it’s important to report to police, he could already be on their radar and sometimes linked to other sexual crimes. He’s behaviour will become more deviant and horrific, ie rape !

Yes, really wish I'd got a photo, after I'd shouted I actually went and got my phone out of the car and went looking to see if I could spot him (which is when I spoke to the men up the road), but annoyingly he was nowhere to be seen.

You may wish to read the actual text of the post you quoted once again.🤷‍♀️