There has been widespread condemnation from local representatives in Coalisland after recent reports of an assault and intimidation by groups of youths against women and girls in the town.
A female runner is alleged to have been punched in the back while jogging in the canal walk area of the Co Tyrone town last week, while there have been other reports of verbal and physical harassment of women in the area in recent weeks.
Sinn Féin MLA for Mid Ulster, Linda Dillon, told Belfast Live that it wasn’t acceptable for women and girls to feel unsafe when out in public spaces.
“I have reported this issue to the police that these group of young lads have been verbally abusive to other people,” she said.
“This is the first report I have heard of somebody being physically assaulted and it is just not acceptable.
“The canal walk has recently had a lot of investment, a lot of work done to it to make it an accessible space for everybody in the community of Coalisland.
“Nobody should be making it a space where families, women and girls feel that they can’t go and walk and enjoy.
“It’s concerning that they think that it’s OK to intimidate anybody, but particularly a young woman out on her own, given recent concerns around violence against women and girls.”
A £4million public realm scheme was completed in the town last year, with part of the investment going towards the canal walk area.
Independent councillor Dan Kerr referenced another incident last week in which a young girl was left ‘fearful and shocked’ as she walked alongside the canal.
“A concerned parent has contacted me about an unsavoury incident which happened to her daughter this week down the Coalisland Canal pathway,” Cllr Kerr said.
“The young girl was walking down the popular route but came across a group of lads who started harassing her, verbally and physically.
“This incident has left the young girl very fearful, shocked and was traumatic. No person should be fearful, particularly young females when out and about.”
A spokesperson for the PSNI said it had received no formal reports of any assaults in the area, but was aware of ‘community concerns’ about the issue.
Inspector Alison Johnston from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "While we have not received any formal reports at this time, we are aware of community concerns of this nature.
“We would encourage any woman or girl in the area who has experienced this to come forward and make a report so that we can carry out a robust investigation.
“We want all women and girls to have the confidence to report to Police. We take reports of this nature incredibly seriously and will pursue those who seek to harass or harm, using every power available to us.”
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