Police are urging women to be aware of their personal safety after several reports of women being followed in Kendal and an attempt to grab a young woman near Sandylands playground this week.

Inspector Richard Vernon told The Westmorland Gazette that police "have some concerns" that the incidents may be connected to the rape of a woman near Kendal Parish Church in November, but they are "keeping an open mind".

Insp Vernon said that a woman in her mid-20s ran off after a man tried to grab her near Sandylands playground, close to midnight on Monday. The woman was walking home alone from a friend's house.

Police do not have a description of the man, but Insp Vernon said: "We would like to ask if anyone saw anybody hanging around that area, acting suspiciously, to let us know."

Meanwhile, police have received reports of several women being followed by a man, in the evening. Insp Vernon said the number of reports was "in single figures", and most of the instances had taken place in the town, rather than residential areas.

He appealed for anybody who had seen people acting suspiciously to try to make a mental note of their appearance, and call police straight away.

Asked if police are linking the reports with November's rape, Insp Vernon said: "We have some concerns they may be connected to the previous incident, but we still have to keep an open mind because some of these incidents may actually be legitimate.

"Some incidents reported to us subsequently turn out to be legitimate in that the men were just walking in that direction and didn't have any malicious intent at all."

He stressed: "Kendal is a safe place, and incidents of this type are very rare. I want to reassure women that they are generally safe, but to take sensible precautions."

Women are advised to be aware of their personal safety by trying to walk in the light, considering carrying a rape alarm, and trying not to walk alone late at night.

Meanwhile, police investigations continue into the rape of a woman in Kendal last November. Detective Sergeant Ray Begley told the Gazette: "We are still investigating it and there's still people to be seen, that's really all I can say at the moment other potential witnesses that have come about through inquiries made so far, people who have been in the area, who live in the place."

l Following the rape, South Lakeland District Council, in co-operation with Kendal Town Council, the parish church, and the Kirkland Partnership, is planning an improved lighting scheme in the church car park, along Blind Beck, and along the pathway between Abbot Hall and the church. Although it was still at the design stage, SLDC portfolio holder for planning Coun Bob Barker said it was being treated as a priority.

January 17, 2003 13:30