Witnesses needed after 2 sexual assaults

25 January 2011, 11:44 | Updated: 10 February 2011, 12:27

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after two sexual assaults in Milton Keynes on Sunday morning (January 23rd).

The first incident happened at 9.51am as the victim, a 46-year-old woman, was walking near Lodge Lake, Great Holm. The victim noticed a man touching himself inappropriately and as she walked away from him the offender ran at her and grabbed her from behind. The victim screamed and the offender ran off.

The second incident happened approximately thirty minutes later at 10.20am as the victim, a 49-year-old woman, was walking her dog along the Redway near to Atkins Close, Bradwell. The offender walked past the victim and then grabbed her from behind, forced her to the ground, and sexually assaulted her.

The offender is white, in his early to mid twenties and stocky. He was wearing an olive green jacket, possible a raincoat, blue jeans and a black woollen hat pulled low over his eyebrows.

Det Sgt Neil Robinson, leading the investigation said: “These offences happened within a very short time period and within a similar area so we believe they are linked to the same offender. We have police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) carrying out high visibility patrols in the area and speaking to as many potential witnesses as possible.

“Both these areas are popular with dog walkers and joggers so I would ask anyone who may have seen a man matching this description in the area this morning to contact us. We would also reinforce our usual messages about taking sensible steps to keep safe and in particular for women to walk home with other people wherever possible.”

If you have any information about these incidents, please contact Det Sgt Robinson at Milton Keynes police station via the 24-hour non-emergency number, 0845 8 505 505. If you do not want to speak to the police, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can also give information to the police in person by visiting any police station. Find out the opening times and location of your local station or please call 0845 8 505 505.