On Tuesday’s Loose Women, Janet Street-Porter’s terrifying harassment incident triggered a heated debate about whether or not to report crimes.
Last week, the 76-year-old described the harrowing experience, claiming that she was on a ‘peaceful stroll’ by herself in Kent when a guy ‘drove up behind’ her and yelled insults.
‘A car suddenly drove up behind me, the man behind the wheel screamed I HATE YOU, WE ALL HATE YOU, YOU ARE STUPID and when I tried walk away he turned round and spat out YOU WILL GO DOWN,’ she tweeted at the time.
During today’s episode of the ITV daytime show, Janet revealed that she had yet to report the crime, sparking a heated argument among Coleen Nolan, Charlene White, and Denise Welch.
Charlene believed that all crime should be reported and urged viewers to do likewise in the future.
(Picture: ITV)
‘The police will always say please do report harassment either online or by calling 101 or visiting your local police station because I guess there’s always the strength in numbers argument,’ she said.
‘The only way someone can be stopped is if someone is reporting it.’
Coleen, on the other hand, expressed scepticism, citing the fact that the offences she had reported went unsolved.
‘I’ve reported things that have happened in the past and nine times out of 10 they go a) we can’t find them and b) if we do find them, then there’s not a lot we can do,’ she shared.
‘Then I feel more frustrated and more angry…’
Charlene, however, maintained that not reporting crime is a ‘dangerous road to go down’.
‘I think it’s really important that we don’t discourage people from coming forward to the police with any crime they feel is being committed,’ she continued.
‘I think it’s a really dangerous road to go down if we’re encouraging people not to do that.’
Sharing her opinion, Denise added: ‘I think people should report so there’s a record, but I think we have to see more evidence that there is punishment for the crimes.’
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
