PSNI: ‘We Take All Reports Very Seriously’ – As Another Woman Speaks Out After Being Followed

The PSNI has issued a call to women in Coleraine to report incidents of harassment amid growing concerns, adding that they ‘take all reports seriously’.

This follows a recent article by Causeway Coast Women (CCW) after Sarah* was followed on Railway Road after leaving the train station. She urged women to be vigilant when walking alone.

Since then, more women have come forward, including 22-year-old Emma (not her real name to protect her privacy), a student at Queen’s who is studying for a Masters in Law.

She described a harrowing experience on Long Commons on 8th November.

"It was around 5.50 in the morning and I was on my way to the train station to head to uni when I noticed this man standing in a small street (Taylors Row) near Potters Snooker Club on Long Commons in Coleraine," she recalled. 

“I noticed that he started following me. I know he was following me because when I crossed the road, so did he. When I sped up, so did he. 

“Nowhere was open, so I stood outside a shop with the shutters up, pretending to be on the phone, saying things like, ‘I’m outside, will you let me in.’ Eventually, he walked back in the direction we had come from, and I ran to the station.”

Emma didn’t report the incident, citing a prior negative experience with police. “I had a really bad experience previously when reporting a similar gender-based issue, so I chose not to. But I never thought about how this is becoming an issue in our town.”

The incident has left Emma deeply unsettled. “It made me really scared, but I’m even more afraid now with dark mornings and nights here for the next few months. Daylight brings a sense of safety for women, and now we have less and less of it.”

A Growing Concern

Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Tanya Stirling commented: “Every woman deserves to feel safe and secure in her own town.

"No one should have to navigate their daily life with a constant sense of threat or danger looming over them.

"It's crucial that we create communities where women can walk freely, enjoy their surroundings, and thrive without fear.

"Together, we must advocate for safer environments and support initiatives that promote respect and equality. Let's work towards a future where safety is a given for all women."

PSNI Responds

 Superintendent Sinead McIldowney of the PSNI acknowledged the rising fears. Referencing the previous incident reported on by Causeway Coast Women, she said: “Police received a report shortly after 11.30 pm on November 3rd that a woman had been followed by an unknown man in the Railway Road area of Coleraine.
 

“Local officers responded and subsequently spoke with a man who matched the description of the initial report, however, no offences were detected.

“As a service, we take all reports very seriously and we are committed to building trust and confidence in our communities, especially amongst women and girls, and we will relentlessly pursue perpetrators to create safer spaces for all.

“My message to anyone who does not feel supported is to please report any concerns you have to us. If you do not make a report, we will be unable to help you if we don’t know about it. “Please have confidence in our ability to keep you safe from harm, particularly if you believe you are being followed by a person unknown to you.

“If we are aware of concerns within the district, we will target neighbourhood resources to the location and ensure that we have a deterring presence with the aim of preventing intimidating behaviours, to make women and girls feel safer, as part of our Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) action plan.

“If you need to speak with us contact officers on 101 or if it’s an emergency always call 999. Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.”

While police are calling for more reports of such incidents, Emma’s story and others like hers highlight the urgent need for systemic changes.

“There needs to be more awareness about this issue if it’s happening in our town,” she said. “Stop telling women not to walk alone at night or to be vigilant,” Emma said. “It’s time to put the responsibility where it belongs - on those committing these acts.” 

*The name was change to protect the lady's privacy