Concerns raised by Oxfordshire dog walkers

Concerns have been raised by Oxfordshire dog walkers after reports of a man exposing himself.

A dog walker was passing through woodland near the playground between Heron Lane and Robin Way, in Didcot, at around 8.15pm on 15 July when a man allegedly exposed himself. Thames Valley Police is investigating the incident and has launched an appeal for witnesses.

Earlier this month, there were reports of a man who exposed himself to a female dog walker in a field in Henley.

There have also been a number of exposure incidents during the past month in Oxford, Woodcote, and Bodicote.

Amanda Elderfield, owner of South Oxon Pet Services, told This is Oxfordshire that her business moved into a secure paddock due to safety concerns.

“Nothing like that has happened to us, but you are extremely vulnerable walking on your own,” she told the website.

“You can be well out in the countryside and you are very isolated. Anything can happen.

“It’s not just that, it could be in a park and these things are happening in the town as well. You are quite vulnerable walking.”

A local dog walker, who asked to remain anonymous, told This is Oxfordshire that she had previously come across a man exposing himself while she was in East Hendred.

She said: “A couple of years ago, I had a guy who did it to me and one of my team. He was stood in the woods naked, but he was let off as he said he was a naturist.

“If somebody exposed themselves to me in front of all my dogs, they would see it as threatening behaviour and they wouldn’t be very happy, so I try not to worry.”