Castlepoint: Woman with child 'filmed' demands police action

Man reportedly filmed women and young girls in HNM changing rooms <i>(Image: NQ)</i>
Man reportedly filmed women and young girls in HNM changing rooms (Image: NQ)
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A mother who confronted a man allegedly taking indecent images of her while she was with her eight-year-old daughter in a Castlepoint changing room is demanding quicker police action.

It comes as the Echo can reveal the video footage of the incident.

The 36-year-old woman from Bournemouth was trying on clothes with her friend and her young daughter when she noticed a man reportedly taking indecent images of her while she was topless in an H&M changing room on May 30.

After noticing flashes while changing and realising a phone was being held over their changing room, she said: “We waited for him to emerge from the changing room, which is when I started videoing him."

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported the man was also allegedly filming other women and young girls in the same changing rooms. In retaliation, she continued filming the the individual and followed him out into the Castlepoint car park.

She said: “I followed him, and he was walking on the Asda side… he then darted across the car park down to the stairs.

“I ran down the stairs and then by the time I got to the bottom of the stairs, he completely vanished into thin air.”

Speaking about the impact the incident had on her and her daughter, she said: “I feel sickened that there's a photo out there.

"Police aren't acting quick enough, and how many people have got those pictures now?

"Of a young girl, as well as me topless, and my friend, topless, and the other girls.”

Man reportedly filmed women and young girls in HNM changing rooms (Image: NQ)

The woman stated she has contacted Dorset Police every day since the incident, she said: “I've also rang the police every day, and they have said that it hasn't even been allocated to anybody yet, and it's five days later.

“I was in a bit of shock when the police officer said to me that, um, they might not be working at the speed that we would like them to work, but they will get there when they get there.”

“They said they'd ring within 24 hours; nobody has even rung.”

The Bournemouth Echo has contacted Dorset Police about the incident, it said: "As with all crimes reported to us, we will explore all available lines of enquiry.

 "Our enquiries in relation to this matter are ongoing and there are no updates at this time."

According to the woman, CCTV footage of the man entering his car is available, but police have not collected it since the incident on May 30.

The woman went on to say: “I feel like I'll never get them changed in changing rooms ever again.

“My daughter doesn't want to go shopping anymore, she doesn't want to go into changing room.”

Castlepoint were also contacted by the Bournemouth Echo, a spokesperson for the retail park said: “We were advised by H&M of an alleged incident that is reported to have taken place within its store at Castlepoint on Saturday.

"We understand the retailer contacted Police at the time, and that Dorset Police are now actively investigating the matter.

“While individual retailers are responsible for the operation and security of their own stores, the safety and wellbeing of everyone who visits and works at Castlepoint remains our number one priority.

"We are assisting H&M and Dorset Police where appropriate and will continue to support their enquiries as required.

“As this is an active police investigation, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this stage.”

The Echo has also contacted H&M, which said it cannot comment as it is a police investigation.

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