Photo Shutterstock A Peeping Tom has caused residents of the Haarweg to feel unsafe for weeks. The police have arrested the culprit.
District police officer Wiro Pillen: ‘We received reports about a Peeping Tom at the Haarweg and other locations. The description matched a known subject with a record of peeping. We monitored the places he had been sighted and were able to catch him in the act. We made an arrest.’
Why didn’t the police visit the suspect if they were already fairly sure of his identity? ‘Catching him in the act increases the chance he will receive counselling’, Pillen says. ‘Hopefully, that will put an end to the issue.’
Not punishable
Although “peeping” is legally considered a crime, it is not seen as a serious offence. Still, it can severely impact the victims, Pillen says. ‘It really infringes on someone’s personal living environment.’
Haarweg 333 resident Tim, who prefers to keep his last name private, is happy to hear the culprit has been caught. ‘The sense of security here is not ideal to begin with. The terrain is open and, hence, accessible to people who have no business being here. There are frequent theft incidents, graffiti, and cars have been vandalised. A Peeping Tom is even worse. I haven’t seen him personally, but he would cross the premises now and again. It is said that he used a stick to open the curtains through an open window of a woman’s room to get a better look inside.’ Other Haarweg residents have accosted the Peeing Tom, says Tim. ‘He would claim he was visiting a friend but failed to recall the friend’s name. He would simply return later.’ Tim says that the Haarweg residents would welcome camera surveillance.
District police officer Pillen stresses that the police are also available for students. ‘Don’t hesitate to call us. If you witness something that requires immediate police attention, call 112. A life-threatening situation or a theft in progress. In all other cases, you may submit your report through 0900-8844.’
