University of Manchester issues advice to students after bogus taxi driver sex attack The University runs a 'safe taxi scheme' and students can even pay using their student cardUniversity bosses have issued safety advice to students after a bogus taxi driver sex attack.
A 19-year-old woman was sexually assaulted after she was driven to Fallowfield from the Pangaea night at the University of Manchester’s Student Union on Oxford Road by a man who claimed he was a taxi driver.
She walked up to a car outside The Holy Name Church in the early hours and got in when the driver said it was a taxi. The incident is the second sex attack in seven months by a bogus taxi driver.
Now The University of Manchester has issued guidance to all students. They have been advised that they can use their student cards to pay fare.
Dr Paul Redmond, the university’s director of student life, said students should only use pre-booked private hire vehicles and properly-licensed hackney cabs.
He said: “The university takes the welfare and safety of its students extremely seriously and works closely with Greater Manchester Police and the students’ union to provide students with advice on how to stay safe during their time in the city.
“The students’ union runs a ‘safe taxi scheme’ with a trusted private hire firm, Street Cars, which allows students to pay with their student card if they feel unsafe and don’t have enough cash on them; we would encourage students to use this service whenever they need to.
“Staff and students were deeply sorry to hear about this incident and we are liaising with the police to provide the appropriate support.”
Meanwhile, officers from the city centre division of Greater Manchester Police are due to go out on patrol with the university’s security team to bolster security and share ideas.
The woman in the latest attack was driven to an unknown location, where she was sexually assaulted before she could escape.
The man threw her out of the car and she realised she was in Fallowfield. She called police immediately.
The man was mixed race, in his 30s, thin with short, shaved hair and wearing glasses. The car was a dark coloured saloon.
Detectives are currently checking CCTV cameras in a bid to identify the vehicle used.
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4146 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
source:
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... er-7853695
Login
Register
FAQ
