Luton: Police Link Sex Attacks

5 February 2013, 14:16 | Updated: 5 February 2013, 14:28

Detectives in Luton are appealing for witnesses to come forward after two sexual assaults were reported in close proximity to one another.

The first offence happened at around 9.10pm on Tuesday January 29 after the 23 year-old female victim pulled her car over in Catsbrook Road close to the junction of Canberra Gardens. The offender climbed into the car and grabbed the victim's breast before fleeing towards the nearby park when the victim pressed her car's horn.

The offender is described as being an Asian male, in his mid to late 20s, around five feet nine inches tall, of skinny build and with short brown hair. He was wearing dark coloured clothing and a black trench coat.

The following night (January 30) a 15 year-old boy was sexually assaulted as he walked along Riddy Lane between 8pm and 8.15pm. The offender approached the victim and exposed himself before groping the youngster. He then fled the area.

The offender is described as being an Asian male, in his early 30s, around five feet seven inches tall, of skinny build and with short black hair. He was wearing dark coloured clothing and a pair of Adidas trainers and spoke with broken English.

DC Nadia Hussein, who is investigating both incidents, is keen to speak with anyone who was in Catsbrook Road on Tuesday or Riddy Lane on Wednesday night and may have seen either offender before or after the incident.

In relation to the first assault, she would like to hear from two motorists who drove past the victim's car towards Ickneild Way as she beeped the horn. DC Hussein would also like to speak with a female who walked past the offender and the victim in the Riddy Lane assault - near to Ickneild Primary School - just before the offence took place.

DC Hussein said: "Both victims have been left extremely upset by the ordeals they suffered and it is important that we find the offenders who committed these offences and stop them from committing any further crimes.

We are keeping an open mind about whether these incidents are related but if anyone saw either assault taking place or knows who the offenders may be then I would urge them to contact Bedfordshire Police as quickly as possible."

If you have information relating to these incidents, contact DC Hussein, in confidence, on 01582 394350, the non-emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011. Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org