Bracknell council give update into rape promising to ‘improve lighting in underpasses’

The council’s response comes after the most recent incident on Easter Monday where a woman was raped within the Eastern Roundabout underpass.

Following this attack, the outrage has sparked conversations about the lack of CCTV camera’s within the maze of subways that run under the town.

The 88 underpasses have proven to be a hotspot for dangerous crime. Many question whether the network of passages should remain open.

Bracknell News reader, Dennis Lloyd said: "I've said it before and I'll say it again, all the underpasses in Bracknell are crime hotspots and they all need to be got rid of as soon as practically possible by Bracknell Forest Council."

In the last 10 years, two stabbings and a rape have taken place below the streets of Bracknell. Many other offences have occurred including a serious of muggings and robberies.

Lisa Rance commented: "Those underpasses particularly there are not used much. When I walk home from pub always walk along road way. They should shut these."

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Cllr John Harrison, Executive Member for Culture, Delivery and Public Protection, said:

“We do understand the community’s frustration and outpouring of anger towards underpasses, given the terrible crime that took place.

“While in no way are we seeking to minimise the awful nature of this crime, we would like to reassure the public that crime in Bracknell Forest is relatively low and whilst CCTV is not installed in the boroughs 80 underpasses, they are regularly inspected and maintained.

"We are improving lighting in underpasses, making entrances and exits clear of foliage to improve visibility and exploring other safety measures in order to reduce the fear of crime in these areas.

 “The safety of our residents is paramount and we urge anyone who feels unsafe anywhere in the borough to report it via: www.police.uk/streetsafe.”