Police Probe Alleged Sexual Harassment in Lentävänniemi

Police are investigating an alleged sexual harassment incident on Jänislahdenkatu in Tampere's Lentävänniemi that took place on August 12 around 2 p.m., according to Aamulehti.

The case entered police files after social media users described repeated harassment in Lentävänniemi's outdoor recreation areas; Aamulehti reports the behaviour involved following and public masturbation. Detective Chief Inspector Tuomas Luhtaniemi said he cannot comment on the suspect's age or gender while the preliminary investigation is ongoing, and police are not able to confirm whether there have been multiple incidents. Posters on local Facebook groups say both children and adults have been targeted and that sightings share similar identifying details.

Under Finnish criminal law, sexual harassment covers acts such as exposing oneself and violating another person's sexual self-determination; it can be punished with a fine or up to six months in prison.

Police have recently investigated similar public harassment reports on Tampere buses earlier this year, and authorities have warned that private online stings can destroy evidence and hinder investigations by compromising evidence and distorting suspects' behaviour.