Newmarket: Schoolboys allegedly touched a woman ‘inappropriately’ during car park prank

A police investigation has been launched into an alleged sexual assault where four schoolboys “inappropriately touched” a parent.

The incident in a car park near Newmarket College is believed to be an example of what head of school Nick Froy branded an “extremely unpleasant practice” of boys deliberately ‘accidentally’ bumping into women and girls, then using their gesture of apology to put their hands on the victim’s body.

One female parent brought the behaviour to light after she was allegedly ‘bumped’ four times by different boys in a car park in Exning Road, just before 3pm on Wednesday, February 26.

In a letter to parents and carers earlier this week, Mr Froy insisted tough action was being taken to crackdown on such behaviour, while police said they were working with the school to investigate.

A spokesman said: “Police are investigating an incident which occurred in Newmarket just before 3pm on Wednesday February 26, whereby a woman was inappropriately touched on separate occasions by four schoolboys in a car park on Exning Road.

“This matter is being treated seriously and as such the police are liaising with the school to warn students about the repercussions of this kind of behaviour.”

Mr Froy said the school was treating the behaviour “seriously”, and held separate assemblies for boys and girls with the police to make sure they were aware.

He said: “We have been advised that often women are unaware this type of assault has happened, and indeed we only became aware when a parent reported it to us.

“We have made it clear to all students that this does constitute sexual assault and is a criminal act.

“I hope you agree that in highlighting this activity, making clear the sanctions and also what to do if a student has been assaulted, the college is working to protect all our students.”