Women left feeling unsafe at night after rape in town

Some women in a Dorset town have been left feeling unsafe when walking alone at night after a woman was raped.

Police are investigating after a woman in her 20s was raped in the popular seaside town of Weymouth on Monday night.

Abigail Sedwards, 18, said she was shocked about what happened and felt "like young women aren't as protected as they should be".

Dorset Police said: "We are committed to being here for the safety of women and girls in Weymouth and work with our partners to ensure that victims of sexual offences are supported and feel listened to."

A cordon was put in place following the incident, which happened in New Street at about 22:45 BST.

It has since been removed, but no arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.

In June, July and August Dorset Police said it had recorded 27 reported rapes.

That includes non-recent reports and those in a domestic setting, not just those in public spaces.

Sedwards said she was terrified to walk through town alone in the dark.

"Even if I get dropped off at the bus stop alone, I call my best friend because I'm scared of being all by myself," she said.

Her friend, Nancy Robinson, said: "I was out in town around the same time that it happened.

"You're thinking nothing is going to happen, there is so many people out."

Violet Bruton said that she only felt safe because her boyfriend worked in a local bar.

"Most of the time I don't like walking out late at night and I try not to. I always wait for my partner if I need to go out at night," she said.

Bruton said that she refused to go out in the dark alone, adding: "I wouldn't even think about it, especially when every turn you take there is a dark alley."

But Katie, 18, said that she felt safe in Weymouth.

"I have heard stories about rapes but it's quite rare in the area," she said.

"You get a lot of nice people. You get the odd person who is not the best but you're going to find that everywhere."

The landlady of the Black Dog pub, Lyn Mackenzie, told the BBC she thinks Weymouth is a safe place.

"I have lived here a long time, I have seen a lot of things, there are a lot of safety aspects that have been put in place to keep people safe," she said.

"Venues have security, we have 'Charlie Four' (CCTV cameras), we've got the police, we've got the street pastors.

"And there are loads of venues that if you say you don't feel safe and they will happily assist."

Mackenzie is also a mother to a teenage daughter and has taught her how to stay safe in town.

"I taught her that there are certain areas of Weymouth that she shouldn't go, she should always be with somebody and she never walks home alone," she added.

This summer, Dorset Police has carried out additional patrols to keep women and girls safe at night.

Following a trial last year, the force is also rolling out Project Vigilant in Bournemouth and Weymouth, aiming to target men who have previously acted in a predatory way towards women at night.

The night economy in Weymouth is popular and as a result, street pastors have been patrolling the town on Friday and Saturday nights for 18 years.

Every weekend, with the exception of Christmas, the teams roam from 21:30 to 04:00, regardless of the weather.

Co-ordinator Andrew Reid said: "We operate with door staff and CCTV, and we have a very good relationship with Dorset Police."

The scheme operates with a paramedic and security guard so that the street teams, who are first aid and trauma trained, focus on people in the clubs and pubs.

Meanwhile, the Pineapple Project safeguards young women and girls when they are outside of their family homes and in the community.

Nominated local businesses and public venues can help those that feel unsafe or vulnerable seek immediate help if they need it.

Dorset Council said that the project was a local authority led initiative aimed at raising awareness and "creating safety for young women in local towns".