A sleepy seaside town on the west coast of England is being terrorized by a night prowler wearing nothing more than a pair of sneakers and a gimp mask, police say.
Lytham locals on Lancashire’s picturesque Fylde coast are buzzing with speculation after a bizarre late-night sighting that has everyone talking. A dashcam video captured a nude man wearing nothing but a bondage hood striding through Westby Street – right in the heart of the historic Victorian resort village – just before 1 a.m. on Friday, July 18.
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Unfazed and eerily calm, the mysterious figure appears to stroll as if it’s just another late-night walk, leaving locals stunned as police scramble to uncover the identity of the peculiar night walker.
‘No idea what he thinks he’s doing’
“It’s a gimp mask, I’ve watched the footage,” one anonymous resident told the Gazette & Herald. “I’ve no idea what he thinks he’s doing.”
“In the days after, we saw a young man, fully clothed, walking around the streets, looking up and around, seemingly checking for cameras.”
Explaining that there are no “alternative lifestyle” venues in the area, the local added, “We think it’s the same man.”
Taking the ‘matter seriously’
Meanwhile, in a social media post, Fylde Police said the “incident was not initially reported to police and has only been brought to our attention after it has been viewed on Facebook.”
Officials confirmed they are doing door-to-door enquiries and “would like to reassure you that we are taking this matter seriously.”
Pantherman
It turns out Lytham isn’t alone – men roaming rural villages dressed in bizarre outfits appears to be a growing phenomenon.
In early July, residents near Wallasey Beach, Merseyside, were left spooked by a mysterious figure dubbed “Pantherman” – a person dressed in a tight black catsuit and mask. According to BBC, witnesses reported the creepy character stalking secluded paths, leaping out from behind gravestones, frightening people with feline-like movements and cries.
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“Was walking my dog tonight and heard a man making cat noises, shone a torch he was waving his arms at me before crawling up the hill. Never been so scared,” one resident told the outlet.
While police continue the hunt for the naked stalker in a gimp mask, they urge the public to contact them with any information: “If you have any knowledge or information regarding this incident or believe you may have CCTV which could assist with our enquiries, please contact us,” they asked residents.
What do you think of this creepy gimp man? Please share your thoughts with us and make sure you share this story in case someone you know has any information that might help police find the nightcrawler!