The intent is clear: The masturbating perpetrator has sought eye contact with his victims.
On eight occasions in just over a month, women in Uppsala have been exposed to strippers.
The police are now appealing to the public to report – and photograph the man.
– Right now it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack, says Police Commissioner Jonas Erhonen.
The latest incident took place on Thursday evening, May 4, when the police were alerted to a man masturbating in Röbospåret, in Gamla Uppsala. The police sent out several patrols and a helicopter but by then it was already too late and the man was gone.
Since the beginning of April, eight women of different ages, in different places in the city, have been exposed to strippers. The signs of the perpetrator have differed from each other, and the police cannot therefore establish that it is the same person – but there are many indications of it.
– So many cases with similar approaches in such a short time stand out, says Jonas Erhonen.
– This crime is considered very serious. It’s unfunny, unpleasant and it leaves deep traces that stay in. And it creates an insecurity in the area, especially if it happens regularly, he continues.
Eye contact
According to the police, the man’s intention is very clear. It is absolutely certain that the exposure was not accidental.
– He sought eye contact with the women when he appeared. In some cases when he has exposed his sex, in other cases when he has masturbated.
Investigators at the Uppsala police believe that even more women may have been exposed to the stripper. The number in the dark can be large because you don’t think it’s worth reporting.
– You don’t think it’s a good idea to call in and report, but it gives us a greater basis for the situational picture, if it’s one and the same perpetrator or if there are more. Right now it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack, says Jonas Erhonen.
Call 112 – and take a picture
Often the reports are also received too late, says Erhonen. It often takes hours from the time it happens to calling the police. The perpetrator has therefore often had time to leave the scene once the patrol is on site.
The police are now urging anyone who sees a flasher to report it – immediately. If there is a crime in progress, call 112.
– And if it’s without risk to yourself, then feel free to try to photograph or film the perpetrator. But it can be difficult to have that presence of mind, you have other things on your mind and just want to get out of there, says Jonas Erhonen.
Something you should not do is, if you manage to catch the stripper on picture, spread the material on social media, as it could be criminal. The police therefore urges that you send the images directly to them.