Creepy guy lurking in haggerston/de beauvoir area

Warning: Suspicious Individual in Haggerston/De Beauvoir Area

I hope this post finds you well. I’m writing to address a concerning situation that I recently experienced in the Haggerston and De Beauvoir neighborhoods of East London. As a woman in my 20s who works late shifts, I have felt mostly safe in this area over the past seven months—until now.

Recently, I have had two unsettling encounters with a man near Downham Road. Both incidents occurred around 12:45 AM, just as I was making my way home after work. On the first occasion, this man approached me from behind a tree, greeted me, and then proceeded to follow me for a spell. Fortunately, the presence of a few other pedestrians influenced him to turn back.

However, on my most recent walk home, I faced a similar experience. Again, he appeared suddenly, this time from behind another tree, attempted to engage me in conversation, and made a rather uncomfortable gesture by winking at me. I firmly told him to stop speaking to me, but he questioned my reaction. I felt compelled to walk away quickly, leaving me feeling shaken and uneasy.

This individual appeared intentional in his actions, displaying no signs of intoxication, which led me to believe that he is deliberately targeting women late at night. For a physical description, he is a Black man, likely in his 30s, with a medium build, approximately 5’8″, and short dark hair. During our last encounter, he wore something resembling a uniform with a logo, although I didn’t focus too intently on the details.

I’m sharing this to raise awareness and encourage anyone else who might have encountered this man to document their experiences in the comments. It’s crucial that we, as a community, support each other in staying safe. I have reported these incidents to the Metropolitan Police online and appreciate all the supportive suggestions the community has offered.

In light of these disturbing experiences, I’m also exploring options for community support, possibly engaging with a women’s charity for safer transportation home during late hours. I’ve lived in London all my life, and I have never felt this apprehensive before. If you have experienced a similar situation or have any advice, please feel free to contribute to this discussion.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and let’s make our neighborhood a safer place together!