‘Haarweg peeping toms getting bolder’

After several peaceful months at Haarweg, peeping toms have been spotted again. Police constable Carla Quint is keeping a close watch on the situation. ‘Now that it is brighter outside, I am getting more and more reports. Also, these incidents are more worrying than those in the past; the stalkers are getting bolder.’ Although Quint cannot give more details, she feels that this observation says enough. In other words, be careful. Plain-clothes police officers patrol the housing complexes but the chances that they will catch a peeping tom red-handed are small. Moreover, just looking is not a crime; something more must be involved. ‘If the genitals are visible, it becomes another matter,’ explains Quint. And yet, she feels that it is important to intervene early, as peeping tom behaviour can escalate. ‘You never know whether someone hasn’t already got ideas about going a step further,’ says Quint. The police have not uncovered any clear pattern yet, except that the peeping toms operate mostly in the evening or the early hours of the night. The occupants themselves can also take action. In December 2011, students managed to apprehend a peeping tom and turn him over to the police. ‘Occupants may call 112 directly when they spot a peeping tom,’ adds Quint. More tips from the constable: confront strangers found in the building, note down the number plates of suspicious cars and, of course, keep the curtains closed.