Man linked to four sex crimes in red zone

Police have appealed to the public for help to identify a man whose predatory behaviour has been escalating in Christchurch’s red zone.

Four victims have reported separate incidents of being accosted by a man performing indecent acts through to being indecently assaulted.

Police believe the incidents are linked due to the pattern of the attacks and the similar descriptions provided by each of the victims.

The incidents mainly occurred between 6.30am and 8am.

The first incident happened at 6.30am on November 22 last year in Retreat Rd, Avonside. The victim was on her morning run when a man she ran past indecently assaulted her.

A month later a woman walking along the same road was approached about 7am by a man ‘‘who performed an indecent act in front of her’’. She pulled out her phone to call police and he ran away into the red zone, police said.

In January, a woman was walking on Swanns Rd bridge about 7.45am when she noticed a man following her. Later in Bracken St, the same man came out from behind a bush and performed an indecent act in front of her and then grabbed her by the hair, pulled her to the ground and punched her in the face.

She managed to break free and he ran away.

A fourth incident occurred on March 23 at 7.30am in Banks Ave, Dallington.

The victim was running and saw a man at an intersection. She said hello to him and the man grabbed her in a bear hug, dragged her away and indecently assaulted her.

She fought back, kicked him in the shins and ran away.

‘‘Of particular concern is the escalation in behaviour,’’ police said.

The man is believed to be a young male of European descent, between 163cm and 172cm tall, of medium build with brown shoulderlength wavy or curly hair parted in the middle, wearing black track pants and a black top.

Anyone who has had a similar experience or has further information is encouraged to call police on 0800 107 INFO.