Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Damien Edgar

Four women followed at NI beauty spot in last seven months

Four women have allegedly been stalked at a popular beauty spot in County Armagh in the past seven months.

One of those women shared her experience in a social media post which garnered wide attention.

Anne (not her real name) had been reportedly followed by a man at Craigavon Lakes on Saturday afternoon and eventually ended up having to shout at him, seek help from people nearby and phone the police.

Read more: Woman's warning after stalking fear at NI beauty spot

She said the man had followed her and used bushes in the area to creep up on her, had glared at her and kept pace with her.

"I felt really shaky and anxious but also angry," she told Belfast Live.

"I'm a 40-year-old woman, I've got my own family and I just felt really demeaned, like something had been taken from me.

"It's something I really enjoy doing, getting that headspace on my own and now I don't feel I can go round the lake on my own because I just don't feel safe to.

"It's just so frustrating that in this day and age that that could happen."

She said that since sharing the post, three other women have come forward to tell her about similar experiences they had in the same place.

"One lady who had the same experience seven months ago said she hadn't been back since," Anne said.

"She didn't report it because she felt like technically he hadn't broken the law, but she was there with her young daughter and he did it to her when her daughter was there.

"The guy came out around the bridge area and followed them around the lakes and was very brazen in it - she was getting pictures with her daughter in the hope of getting him in the background of the photos.

"He followed her and her daughter around the lakes until she was able to find passers by.

"She was that terrified that she's not gone back and won't be going back - it's a terrifying experience especially when you have a child with you."

Anne has urged women to report any stalking incidents to the police immediately, and she said the reason she phoned police while the incident was happening was about self-preservation as well.

"Some people think it's nothing or a non-incident but if you feel terrified enough that you're on fear for your life or you're in fear of going back to an area, then report it to police," she said.

"That's why I phoned police, I thought if anything happens to me, then they can track my phone."

One of the woman who got in touch with Anne said she had had a similarly terrifying experience just last month and had reported it to the police.

Nicola (also not her real name) said she would often walk in the Craigavon Lakes area after going to a nearby gym and had been doing so on Sunday 7 May at around midday.

"Whenever I was walking on round I noticed a guy standing at the side of the lake wearing an all black tracksuit, black bottoms with a black hoody with the hood up and zipped up right around his face," she said.

"I remember thinking it was a bit strange as it was quite warm and I just thought it was a bit dodgy looking.

"But I had walked on and had come up to a wee bridge with train tracks that run over it and I had had my AirPods in but I just sort of felt a presence.

"Whenever I turned round, he was right behind me, like really, really close behind me and it gave me a fright.

"I paused my music but sped up and he came round beside me then, matching my stride and was close enough that his arm was touching mine.

"So I slowed down and he did too, then when I sped up, he was matching my stride."

Nicola said she was panicking internally as she had never been in a situation like this before.

The terrifying game of cat and mouse continued with Nicola changing direction and speed several times and the man always mirroring her, stopping several times to stare at her with his hood still pulled up.

Eventually she spotted some walkers and slowed down in order to let them catch up with her in the hope that she would be safe with them.

"I think the walkers could tell I was distressed and at that stage I was able to text my friend who lives nearby to say what was happening and she phoned right away," she said.

"I pretended it was my boyfriend and said I was about 30 seconds away from him and at that point the man glared at me and walked off.

"I was able to tell the walkers then what was going on and they said they thought that was what was happening and that they had noticed the guy acting suspiciously and that they thought he was following me."

Nicola said that she kept herself in good shape and had previously been very happy to walk around the lakes area unaccompanied.

"I just felt very vulnerable - I do weightlifting and I would say that I'm very strong and confident," she said.

"But I've never felt that intimidated, I actually froze and I was raging at myself after that I didn't shout or do something, but I didn't know what to do.

"I just felt so vulnerable and powerless and just thought if he tries to attack me or rob me that I haven't a hope against him.

"I would have walked around the lakes two or three times a week after the gym with no issues, but I haven't been back since and I probably won't be unless I'm with a guy, I wouldn't even be confident even with one other girl.

"I just find it very crazy that it was in broad daylight at midday at the weekend, I mean if a woman can't got for a walk then, when can you?."

She added that she hoped there would be an increased police presence in the area given that it seemed to be a recurring problem.

"I've only ever seen them round near the South Lake leisure centre but never out in the open parts," she said.

"Because it's happened a few people recently, I think an increased presence in necessary, I don't like to think about what would have happened if I hadn't come across those people.

"There's so many people out there whose intentions aren't good and it is a scary time for women.

"The only bit of advice I would give as well is if people have their AirPods in, to just put one in or something, because you can be caught unawares.

"And I would say to women to walk in groups even if you can, although I know we shouldn't have to."

The PNSI said that they had received Nicola's report and said that they had responded to it and that they had "spoke with the woman and offered advice and guidance".

PSNI Inspector McNarry said: "Everyone has the right to feel safe whilst out and about in their local community.

"We would encourage people to report any concerns to police so that we can deploy our resources to the areas of greatest need.

"Reporting crimes or incidents that impact on your quality of life helps focus our patrols where they are needed and take positive action. Ring us on 101, report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or speak directly to your Neighbourhood Team."

"A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.