Every resident of quiet seaside village offered rape alarm after spate of 'flashings'

Every single resident of a quiet seaside village is being being offered a free rape alarm after a spate of 'extremely concerning' reports of flashing.

Chestfield(CPC) is offering to buy the £2.83 item for anyone in Chestfield, who wants one following multiple instances of indecent exposure in the area. One perpetrator is said to have exposed themselves to terrified women on several occasions in the village of around 3,200 people last year, while a similar incident just a few weeks ago sparked further concern for in the area. During one alleged incident last month, a is said to have dropped his trousers and underwear in front of a shocked woman and said: “Do you fancy a f***?”

After rising worries among villagers about the flashing problem, that the parish council is now offering free rape alarms to any resident who wants one. Explaining why the had taken the unusual step, the council's chairman, Steve Bailey, said he hoped the alarms would provide "peace of mind" to some locals.

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"Last year's incident was dealt with by , but two weeks ago there was another incident and no one has been caught thus far," he said. "It has left all residents very, very concerned.

"The police have been very good, but it has caused concern and alarm among residents, so we thought it would be a good gesture to offer these alarms. We are in the process of going door-to-door and making people aware of the issue, covering the entire village."

The parish council ordered a dramatic emergency meeting to discuss steps to help keep residents safe after the latest incident, where it was agreed that alarms would be offered to all residents. The 140-decibel devices emit a powerful siren to alert others in the surrounding area that someone is in potential danger.

Cllr Bailey, who also works as a compliance manager at the University College Hospital in London, explained that the first exposure incident was reported in March last year. He admitted that while the alarms "are not going to save the " or necessarily "stop these things happening", he hoped the "gesture" would help residents feel safe.

"I can't understand why some people do these things, but it's an age-old problem," he said. "We just want our residents to feel safe and reassured. It's for the peace of mind of our residents and, for the cost of half a pint of beer [per head], it's a no-brainer."

Cllr Bailey says has been working with Kent Police after receiving reports of flashing from residents. A police spokesman said in March last year that a man had reportedly exposed himself to a walker in Chestfield, and was subsequently arrested.

But in an update this week, the force confirmed the suspect was released without charge following consultation with the CPS. In the most recent incident last month, a woman reported a teenager having flashed her before making lewd comments.

Cllr Bailey said of the latest report: “Chestfield is a very small, close-knit community. People talk and they start getting alarmed." Cllr Bailey says both incidents took place along a footpath between the Sainsbury’s supermarket and Whitstable Rugby Club,.

He is going door-to-door in the village to let people know about the offer - and is delivering a letter if residents aren't in at the time. The letter reads: “We are extremely concerned to learn of a further incident of indecent exposure by a different male perpetrator on one of our public footpaths - the well-used path that runs alongside Sainsbury’s and the rugby club.”

“However, we have met with the police investigating officers, who have assured us investigations continue. Officers have visited many houses in the area in their efforts, and have asked we inform all residents by way of increasing public awareness.

“In view of this, the parish council has decided to offer all households a free personal alarm to increase awareness and to reiterate our resolve to you all we stand together in our efforts to prevent similar incidents."

Cllr Bailey says he seen a positive response to the scheme from villagers - and believes the idea of handing out free alarms to residents could catch on and be used by other councils.

"I had one woman actually come and knock on my door to thank me for the alarm", he said. "She said that she had been out walking her dog the night before and said she felt much safer with the alarm in her pocket. So that's the point really - the feeling of safety and security for everyone.

"I am chairman of both our own Chestfield Parish Council and also the Canterbury Area of the Kent Association of Local Councils, so I am going to suggest that others may roll this initiative with our member councils, with the hope that this may be taken up nationally by other similar organisations."

A police spokesperson said: “Kent Police is currently investigating a report that a boy, thought to be aged between 16 and 18, exposed himself to a woman in Reeves Way, Chestfield on April 10. Officers are interested in hearing information about any other similar incidents in the area, and encourage any further victims to come forward.

“Anyone who has any information regarding the incident, or who has private CCTV or dashcam footage which might assist, should call 01843 222289, quoting 46/59835/25.”