London, Ont., man charged with multiple counts of criminal harassment, released on bail

London police are warning the public after a man who charged with multiple counts of criminal harassment was released from jail on Friday. 

Saranjeet Singh, 22, of London, Ont., has been accused of following multiple women near Western University. He appeared in court on Friday and was released after spending two weeks in jail. 

Singh is described as male, dark complexion, approximately 5'08, 150 lbs, brown eyes with short black hair, and a full black beard. He operates a 4-door black Honda Civic

The incidents were first reported between October 16 and 18, after five different women were followed on three separate occasions earlier that week.

Police say a man approached three 18-year-old women he didn't know who were walking in the area of Richmond Street near University Drive, and offered them what they believed to be cannabis. The same evening he approached another 18-year-old woman on Elgin Road, and allegedly gestured for her to get into his vehicle. He was not located at the time.

Singh was arrested on October 23, after a man followed a 21-year-old woman walking to a residence on Patricia Street. According to police, the man parked his car on her driveway and knocked on the door repeatedly, When there was no answer, he returned to his car. The woman immediately called police and Singh was arrested. 

There were no reported injuries in of the six reported incidents and none of the women said they knew Singh. 

AnnaLise Trudell, spokesperson for ANOVA told CBC News that stalking and harassment need to be taken just as seriously as other acts of sexual violence, as they can be equally traumatic. 

"It feeds into the idea that we minimize stalking and harassment as being 'not that bad, not that traumatic.' It's the idea that what he did was an inconvenience, but instead it was incredibly fearful and a deeply invasive act," she said. 

"The number of incidents done by this man, there's a clear sense that he will likely go out and do this again, this is a repeated action on his part and one that was targeted at folks that were very unknown." 

She believes it adds to the fear that people don't feel safe in public settings and these actions continue creating more survivors. 

Trudell encourages anyone feeling concerned to contact Anova's 24/7 crisis line, at 519-642-3000

Police continue to urge member of public to not approach or engage with Singh and if there are any concerns for safety, to call 9-1-1 immediately.