Coleraine Woman Warns Others to Be Vigilant After Sinister Find

A Coleraine woman has issued an urgent warning after a sinister stash of items was uncovered behind her garage, raising serious concerns about women’s safety in the town. 

Among the belongings were a hammer, cable ties, a balaclava, and other unsettling objects - items she believes indicate a clear threat.

“Someone in our community is out there with a bad intent towards a woman,” she warned after the alarming discovery was made in the Strand Road area. The find has left her shaken and questioning how safe women truly are in their own neighbourhoods.

The discovery was made after the woman's dog began barking persistently for several nights - behaviour she described as highly unusual. 

“So, I went to the bottom of the garden, and at the back of our garage was a bicycle and a plastic bag with clothes and shoes, so I called the police on Thursday (February 13),” explained the local businesswoman.

What officers found inside the bag was deeply concerning. 

“In it was a rucksack which contained a hammer, cable ties, about 20 pairs of blue disposable gloves, a rubber or plastic-type mask, condoms, and a sex toy. There was also a change of clothes and a balaclava.”

Shaken by the discovery, she immediately feared the worst. “I don’t know about you, but whoever left that there had some sort of malicious intent in mind.”

While police removed the bag the following day, they initially left the bicycle behind - a decision that left the woman feeling vulnerable.

“I was so worried about whether this man would return. My husband was working late, and I was in the house on my own with my son. To be honest, I thought the policeman was rather blasé about the whole thing.”

Her concerns escalated when her husband later received a call from a sergeant who admitted officers were taking the matter seriously. 

“He said they were concerned but didn’t want to alert me to that fact. They told him they would be doing passing patrols.”

CCTV footage from a neighbour captured a man on the bicycle in the area.

“The police carried out door-to-door calls and took the CCTV footage away to enhance it. 

“They also took the bike away. They told me he wouldn’t come back, but how do they know that?”

Determined to raise awareness rather than incite fear, the woman wants local women to be on high alert. 

“I don’t want to scaremonger; I just want to warn women in our community to be alert. It’s getting ridiculous in this town that women don’t feel safe anywhere.”

When contacted for comment, the PSNI stated: ‘Following a report from a member of the public, police in Coleraine have seized a bicycle and a bag containing a number of items which were located in the Strand Road area of the town on Thursday 13th February.

The investigation is ongoing and police are progressing a number of lines of enquiries. There is increased police patrolling in the area, with officers providing a visible policing presence.

Police would also appeal to anyone who might have any information which could assist them to contact 101 and quote reference number 377 of 13/02/25.’