Man arrested over towpath sex assaults

A MAN has been arrested in connection with a string of sexual assaults on Trafford’s canals.

Police received seven separate reports from the borough’s canal and river towpaths between last Tuesday and Sunday.

In each report, the offender is claimed to have approached the victim from behind on a mountain bike, before touching them inappropriately whilst riding past.

One widely-shared post on a local Facebook group describes how a woman was slapped on her backside by a passing cyclist.

A 28-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and remains in custody for questioning.

The first incident is alleged to have taken place at around 6pm on March 2, on the Bridgewater Canal in Sale.

At 6.20pm the following day police received another report of a sexual assault on the same section of the canal.

On March 6, officers were contacted about four different sexual assaults taking place on the Bridgewater Canal in Sale, on Bridgewater Way in Old Trafford, on Little Ees Lane in Sale and on the River Mersey.

A final report was made at 10.42am on March 7 from the Bridgewater Canal in Timperley.

No injuries have been reported and officers are treating all seven incidents as linked.

GMP said that patrols have been stepped up in the area, following the attacks.

Detectives are appealing to anyone who may have information about the incidents to contact officers.

They are also asking anyone else who feels they have been subject to a similar assault to report it to them.

Detective Inspector Dave Jones GMP’s Trafford District said: “Thankfully no injuries were reported following these incidents but events like this can cause considerable distress and upset for those involved.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 7544 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.