Hereford Cathedral Area Safety Addressed After Second Rape Incident

Assurances are being issued that Hereford remains a secure location for evening outings, following a second rape attack within four months on a lane near the city’s cathedral. A 24-year-old man was apprehended on suspicion of rape and subsequently released on bail after a woman was assaulted early on Sunday. Regarding a prior attack in July, Christopher Filbrandt, of Eign Mill Road, Hereford, has been charged with rape. The Dean of Hereford, the Very Reverend Sarah Brown, stated, “Our prayers are with all of those affected and we would be very happy to extend any pastoral support or offer prayers in support of anyone troubled by this.” She added, “We were all deeply saddened to hear about the incident on the Cathedral Close on Sunday morning.” The Dean highlighted the existing “extensive” CCTV coverage of Cathedral Close and affirmed, “we will continue to work with the local authorities and police to ensure that we are doing all that we can to ensure visitors to the Close remain safe after dark.” Robert Thomas, lead executive of Vennture, a Hereford social charity whose street pastor scheme promotes safety in the city at night, remarked that despite the efforts of his group and others, “if someone is determined to a bad thing, they will plan it and will pick their time and place.” He noted, “There have been more street pastors and additional police street patrols in recent months so there is a visible presence at night serving as a deterrent.” In addition to assisting people in getting home safely, Vennture’s street pastors also monitor individuals approaching others late at night, collaborating with venues’ door staff to identify potential problems, he explained. “Hereford is a very safe place. But occasionally there will be people determined to hurt others,” he further commented. Mr. Thomas’s primary recommendation for ensuring a safe night out is for people “to stick together with friends on the way home, and avoid strangers.”