Gloucestershire Police have arrested a man in connection with multiple reports of harassment involving a black Range Rover in Lydney. Over the past week, six women have come forward stating that they were followed by a man driving the vehicle.
According to police accounts, the man, who was unknown to the women, drove very slowly while following them and engaged in behaviour such as shouting or whistling, which caused the women to feel intimidated.
The individual, a man in his 20s from the Forest of Dean, was taken into custody on suspicion of offences under the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023. He remains in custody as investigations continue.
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Authorities are urging any additional women who may have been subjected to similar harassment but have not yet reported it to come forward. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact Gloucestershire Police via their website, referencing crime number 53260081317.
A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson emphasised the force’s support of the It Does Matter campaign, which raises awareness about non-contact sexual offences. They highlighted that such offences can form part of a pattern of escalating behaviour, with many offenders beginning with non-contact offences before potentially progressing to more serious crimes.
The campaign aims to encourage reporting, recording, and rigorous investigation of these offences to safeguard the community.