'We take safety extremely seriously' - Lancashire County Council respond after Preston Bus Station rape
The weekend’s horrific attack occurred just weeks after the city’s bus station was identified as “the place most feared by women at night”.
A raft of security measures are in place at Preston Bus Station, say Lancashire County Council, after a woman was raped in the toilets at the weekend.
Police were alerted to the attack at 6.46am on Saturday (April 18) and a 20-year-old man - Abisalom Tesfai, of Wildman Street, Preston - was later arrested and charged with two counts of rape.
The assault reportedly took place in the morning, between 5.30am and 6.30am, raising questions about safety at the city bus station, which was recently named as “the place most feared by women at night”.
Last month, the Post reported that 73 percent of women surveyed by the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner felt at risk when using the bus station after dark. Another 44 percent were equally concerned about visiting the station in the day time.
These concerns now appear justified after a woman was raped at the county council-run bus station at the weekend.
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How is the Council keeping you safe?
The Post asked Lancashire County Council what steps it was taking to address these concerns. The authority said it takes safety at the station ‘extremely serious’ and extensive security arrangements are in place - including CCTV coverage, night-time lighting and security patrols.
A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "We take the safety of passengers and staff at Preston Bus Station extremely seriously.
"We would like to reassure people that the site is well lit, is monitored by more than 250 CCTV cameras and supported by on-site security staff through the day and evening, with additional support from Public Transport Safety Officers. A security officer also patrols the building and monitors CCTV overnight.
"We welcome continued partnership with the police to support enforcement and ensure swift responses when required."
Lancashire Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed or recorded anything suspicious around Preston Bus Station, between 5.30am and 6.30am on Saturday, April 18, to call 101 quoting log 284 of April 18, 2026.