Hunt for man after three sex attacks

Police are hunting a man who indecently assaulted two women and a girl.

At about 5.45pm on Saturday 3 March 2012 a 32-year-old woman was walking under the canal bridge on Oldham Road, Rochdale, when she was approached from behind by an unknown man who sexually assaulted her.

A similar attack took place at around 4.45pm on Tuesday 13 March when a lone 15 year-old girl was waiting at a bus stop near to Moorhouse on Rochdale Road. She was approached by an man on a bicycle who sexually assaulted her. He then tried to engage in conversation with the victim and then he tried to touch the victim again before riding off in the direction of Rochdale town centre.

Neither victim were physically injured in the attack, but both were left upset by what happened.

In both cases the offender was Asian, in his late teens or early 20s, about 5ft 8in tall with a thin build.

Police are investigating the possibility the incidents could be related to a similar attack in January. At about 6.50pm on Tuesday 24 January 2012 a 20-year-old woman was walking home along Milkstone Road, Rochdale near to Essex Street when she was approached by a person who indecently assaulted her.

The person ran off along Essex Street.

Detective Constable Janine Crutwell, of Rochdale CID, said: “These were unpleasant attacks on lone women and one was just 15.

“Thankfully none of the victims were badly injured but they will all bear the mental scars of what happened to them.

“I don’t want people to be too alarmed about this. We have stepped up patrols in the areas and are following up a number of lines of inquiry.

“These incidents will no doubt cause some concern in the community, but I would ask that we are allowed to get on with our jobs and investigate what happened thoroughly.

“We are now looking at the possibility that the two latest incidents are connected to the first attack in January.”

Police are appealing for anyone who can assist with the above incidents to contact them on 0161 856 4644 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.