Kentish Express Ashford & District
ARREST IN SERIAL FLASHER HUNT
23-year-old suspect bailed on suspicion of indecent exposure
A man has been arrested following reports girls and women were being targeted by a serial flasher.
An investigation was launched after a man was said to have indecently exposed himself four times in one week across various spots in Ashford.
An appeal to find the suspect was made last week by Ashford District Commander Ch Insp Mitchell Fox, who asked people to be more vigilant than usual.
Now, police have arrested a 23-year-old man from the Ashford area on suspicion of indecent exposure.
He has been bailed until November 9 while inquiries continue.
The first incident took place between 4pm and 5pm on Monday, September 7, when a man exposed himself to a 13-year-old girl waiting at a bus stop in Moatfield Meadow, on the Park Farm estate.
Later, between 7pm and 7.30pm, a man in denim jeans and a navy blue hoody exposed himself to a woman in the play park in Mill Court, Ashford.
The third and fourth incidents both happened at a bus stop in Langney Drive, in the Singleton area, on Sunday, September 13, when a man exposed himself to girls – the youngest only 12.
Police also released a description of the suspect and said they were linking all four offences.
Ch Insp Fox has now said offic- ers are keeping an open mind as to whether the offences in Ashford are connected to several incidents in Maidstone in which a man reportedly exposed himself to schoolchildren.
He said: “We are liaising with officers investigating three reports of a man acting inappropriately in Maidstone and are keeping an open mind as to whether or not they are linked to the Ashford offences.”
He said people should still be on the lookout, adding: “We are asking people to be more vigilant than usual and to report any suspicious behaviour, no matter how trivial it may seem.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01843 222289 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference ZY/028624/15.