ILMINSTER NEWS: Town reacts positively over recent “flasher” incidents

HEADTEACHERS have been praised for their actions following the recent unsavoury incidents in Ilminster where an unknown flasher targeted children on their way home from school.

It was back on Friday, February 5, 2016, when police were made aware that a man exposed himself to children on Canal Way on two occasions at around 3.45pm.

The headteachers of Swanmead Community School, Mark Walker, and Claire Oaten, the head at Greenfylde First School, took immediate action when children returned to school in Ilminster after the weekend to speak to them about and reinforce the “Stranger Danger” message.

Members of Ilminster Town Council said at their meeting last night (Tuesday, February 23, 2016) that they had been led to believe from police that it was highly likely that the culprit was not local.

Bu the Mayor, Cllr Rose Neave, said that she had heard that there were other similar incidents in the town that day other than the two that were actually reported.

Cllr Sophie Storey said: “I have spoken to both heads about what happened and they dealt with it in a positive way.

“Even though it was an unpleasant experience, it was most likely done by someone not from our town.

“I think our community acted very positively about this and all the children have been spoken with.”

A police report, which went before last night’s (Tuesday, February 23, 2016) meeting of Ilminster Town Council, said there had been three reported sexual offences in Ilminster over the past 30 days - including the incident involving the flasher.

“A male exposed himself to young girls walking home from school,” said the report. “Local schools were made aware and briefed children accordingly. This investigation is currently live.”

The other incidents involved a man walking around Ilminster “totally naked” which had already been dealt with through the courts, while the third incident was “currently under investigation.”

Deputy Mayor of Ilminster, Cllr Tony Walker, speaking in relation to crime in general in the town, said: “There seems to be a lot of sexual activity going on.”

Anyone with information about the "flasher" incidents - please contact police on 101.

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