Hunt for cycle path sex attacker
POLICE LAUNCH SEARCH FOR MAN ON MOUNTAIN BIKE AFTER SEVEN INCIDENTS IN FIVE DAYS WHERE HE HAS TOUCHED WOMEN INAPPROPRIATELY AS HE RIDES PAST
POLICE are hunting a mountain biker who has sexually attacked a string of women near waterways.
Described as young-looking and 5ft tall, police believe he is responsible for seven sexual assaults in five days.
Most of the incidents took place on the tow-path of the Bridgewater Canal through Sale.
Officers have now launched an investigation to find the perpetrator and have appealed to the public for information.
One widelyshared post on a local Facebook group describes how a woman was slapped on her backside by a passing cyclist.
The seven incidents took place between March 2 and yesterday. Police say they believe they are the work of the same person.
In each, the offender has approached his victim from behind on a mountain bike before touching them inappropriately while riding past, according to Greater Manchester Police.
The first reported incident took place at 6pm on March 2 on the Bridgewater Canal, Sale. The second was reported to have happened at 6.20pm on March 3, also on the Bridgewater Canal, Sale. After a gap of a few days, the third reported incident took place at 9.20am on Saturday, again on the Bridgewater Canal in Sale.
This was the first of four incidents on that day. The next incident took place at 4.50pm again on Saturday on Bridgewater Way in Old Trafford while later, at 6.20pm, there was another incident reported on Little Ees Lane, Sale, close to the River Mersey. Police also received a report of another incident at 6.45pm on Saturday on the River Mersey although the precise location was not known.
The final incident was reported to have taken place at 10.42am yesterday on the Bridgewater Canal in Timperley.
No injuries have been reported in any of the incidents.
Police say the offender is described as around 5ft tall, slim and young-looking. He has most often been described as wearing dark clothing.
Sgt Helen Bagnall, of GMP’s Trafford division, said: “If you have seen anyone who matches the description, seen anyone acting suspiciously in the areas concerned, or have any information that can assist our investigations, please get in touch.
“While thankfully no-one has been injured during these incidents, they have left the women involved understandably distressed.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 7544 or ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
While no one has been injured, they have left the women involved distressed
Sgt Helen Bagnall