THIS is a terrifying time for Morecambe women. Last weekend was standard for police. Among other abusive crimes against females they dealt with a sexual assault, a woman punched in the face by a robber and indecent exposure. But the main cause for fear is the masked, knife-wielding robber who has targeted women in the resort since the turn of the year, (although police still can't be sure if it is only one man they are looking for).

What mental anguish those women have gone through only they know. But, thankfully, they do have somewhere to turn...

Sue Rodgers has worked at the North Lancashire Victim's Support Agency for much longer than the Morecambe robber's current reign of terror. And she believes herself and her co-volunteers really can help.

"Fear and anger are the main things they feel," says Sue. "What we do is listen to them and give them time to talk and support them in whatever way we can. They often feel violated.

"But it is the fear that comes through. They often feel silly. But even if it was only a pretend gun or pretend knife the fear is there."

And, as the Victim Support literature says, fear is something that everyone has the right to live without. Contact Victim Support at 2a Knowlys Road, Heysham. Tel: 01524 859044.

Call the police on 01524 63333 if you can help with any of the following crimes:

a 22-year-old woman was dragged into an alleyway and punched in the eye by a masked man who stole her purse on Sunday night.

The woman had been walking along Hope Street, Morecambe at about 8.40pm. The robber made off with her black wallet purse containing £72, door key and personal items. He was 5ft 10ins to 5ft 11ins tall, broad build, brown or green eyes, wearing a black or dark blue balaclava with two eyeholes and mouth hole, dark zipped up jacket waistlength, dark jeans.

a sex attacker grabbed hold of a 17-year-old girl and tried to force a kiss on on her on Friday night.

The girl was walking with her friend down Westgate, Morecambe at about 10.15pm. The attacker was a white male, 5ft 7ins, proportionate build, 34-years-old, brown hair, clean shaven, wearing a checked coloured top.

a flasher exposed himself to a women at 12.30am Saturday morning. He shouted at her from across the road before flashing her. He was a white male, 5ft 4ins, stocky, early thirties, blond shaved hair, wearing a checked shirt and jeans.

a man stalked a woman through Ryelands Park before exposing himself to her beside a tree at about 6.45pm last Wednesday. He was about 20-years-old, 6ft, wearing a bright yellow sports jacket.

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