"Female walker escapes abduction on Coventry road"

[dutchman]

Victim urges others to be safe and shares dismay that women are still unable to walk their local streets safely



A woman who escaped an attempted abduction while out walking by hiding behind a bush has warned others to stay safe.

She also spoke of her dismay that in 2021 women still can't go out without feeling danger.

The Coventry woman, in her 20s, had decided to go out for a long walk on Friday evening (June 4) to make the most of the nice weather.

However, a few miles into her walk, her pleasant stroll turned sinister when she was approached by a driver on Tamworth Road, on the edge of the city near Corley.

The man, in a grey Peugeot 207, tried talking to the woman, insisting they knew each other from when she worked at a nearby pub, which she never had. He also insisted they'd been out for drinks together lots of times.

When she told him he had the wrong person, declined to talk to him and refused the offer of a lift, he became irate and demanded to know why she was "being so cold".

He became angrier as he insisted she get in the car, and as he made to get out, the woman fled - her walk turning swiftly into a run.

Eventually she concealed herself behind a bush and called her boyfriend who was out on a bike ride and came to find her.

Once safe, she broke down in tears at her ordeal and later phoned the police.

She wants to share her story anonymously as a warning to others.

"At first, I didn't really think anything I was just so shook up I actually continued to walk with my boyfriend until about a mile after I broke down and realised what had happened, which was when I contacted the police," she told CoventryLive.

"Now I just feel angry and sad that in 2021 women still can't safely go for a walk in the evening, in daylight, without danger.

"You hear stories like this but until something happens to you, you don't realise how horrible and scary it actually is.

"I just urge people to stay alert and be safe. Too much of this is happening and I am lucky to be safe and OK."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We were called to reports of an attempt to abduct a woman in Tamworth Road, Coventry, at about 8.45pm on Friday, June 4.

"The woman in her 20s reported that a car slowly drove alongside her with the driver talking to her before he got out and tried to persuade her to get into the vehicle, described as a grey Peugeot 207.

"But the woman, who was unhurt but shaken by the ordeal, walked away.

"Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information can contact us via live chat at west-midlands.police.uk, call 101, or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

[dutchman]

Odd that they're able to supply a detailed description of the car but not the man driving it?