SUPERINTENDENT of Police in charge of Clarendon, Terence Bent, on Thursday issued an appeal to women to travel only in taxis that are driven or occupied by people known to them, noting that the police had established a pattern of rape in the parish.

In an interview with JIS News, the superintendent said specific “white” motorcars, operating as taxis en route to Spanish Town, St Catherine, were being used to pick up unsuspecting women.

The perpetrators Bent said, usually picked the women up at the Mineral Heights bus stop, after which they rape them anywhere between the point of pick up and the communities of Rocky Point, Salt River, and Rocky Settlement.

According to Bent, this pattern began to surface between June and July this year, and to date approximately 13 of the 38 reported rape cases for the year was attributed to this pattern.

At the same time, he pointed out that the perpetrators could easily change the colour of the vehicle or use a different type from the one now being used, and therefore emphasised that female passengers should not use taxis operated by drivers unknown to them.

The superintendent also urged female travellers to note the registration number of the vehicles which they take.

Meanwhile, Bent is inviting persons who have any information regarding this or any other criminal activity to report the matter to Crime Stop or the Clarendon Police, adding that all information would be held in the strictest confidence.