Student Union VP (Women) makes police complaint after being followed
East Avenue, where the VP Women says the incident occured.
The Student Union Vice President (Women) has made a complaint to Thames Valley Police after being followed home as she walked alone down the Cowley Road on Friday evening. Ellie Cumbo was returning home at approximately 2.30am when a man started following her shortly after she passed the Elm Tree Pub. She had been unable to hail a taxi after leaving a charitable event in the centre of town.
The man, in his early twenties and wearing a fleece, asked her the time before entering into more general conversation. During the exchange he claimed he worked in the kitchens at the Randolph hotel. As Cumbo approached her home she said good night and turned down an unlit street. The man continued to follow her, now travelling on a bicycle, and proceeded to make several obscene suggestions. He eventually left after Cumbo told him forcibly to go away.
“It was unpleasant given the time of night and the fact that the street was unlit and I was alone,” she said. “I was extremely uncomfortable and my stomach lurched,” she added. The incident was reported to Thames Valley Police on Wednesday morning but Cumbo was told it could not be pursued due to the amount of time that had elapsed. The police said they would encourage women to report similar incidents as soon as possible so they can be treated as public order offences.
Speaking to The Oxford Student, Cumbo said: “I chose to make a report to the police because, although it’s only a small incident I am paid to think about the position of women. “I am angry that this happens so often with no consequences so I would urge others in the same situation to follow it through immediately.” She also said she would welcome proposals for a womens’ taxi service.
3rd Nov 2005