Police have arrested a man in connection with two sexual assaults in York.
The news came hours after detectives issued this efit of a man they want to question in connection with one of the incidents, on James Street cycle path on Sunday.
The man, aged 28, is is being held in custody for questioning about both that assault and another on Navigation Road on Tuesday.
This announcement came after police reiterated their advice that “everybody, not just women, follow basic safety advice by avoiding walking alone at night”.
Police patrols have been stepped-up in York to provide a visible and reassuring presence while investigations continue.
Superintendent Adam Thomson, the Neighbourhood Policing Commander for York and Selby, said: “I fully understand the feeling of concern within the community following these worrying incidents.
“However, I can assure residents and visitors to York that the investigation team is working very hard to track-down those responsible and bring them to justice.”
Are they linked?
The police are investigating whether these two recent assaults are linked – the one in Navigation Road on Tuesday (September 26) and another on James Street cycle path on Sunday (September 24).
Detectives say the serious sexual assault on Bootham, also on Sunday, is not linked, and an update will follow later today.
Supt Thomson said: “Detectives are working to establish if the two incidents are linked.
“Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams are carrying out high-visibility patrols to provide extra reassurance while enquiries continue in to incidents.”
Supt Thomson added:
We ask everybody to keep safe by walking in groups and to be vigilant of any suspicious behaviour.
Importantly, please do not hesitate to report information to North Yorkshire Police on 101 non-emergency number.
Always dial 999 if you feel threatened or an emergency response is required.
Incident 1: James Street
This sexual assault took place on a cycle track off James Street at around 8.50pm on Sunday.
The victim, a local woman aged in her 20s, was walking along the track from Tang Hall towards James Street.
The man pictured in the efit initially walked past her but then turned around and ran towards her.
When he reached the victim, he put his right arm around her shoulders and his left arm between her legs and groped her.
Police have issued this description of the attacker.
Have you seen him?
The suspect is…
aged 19-20 years old | |
6ft 2/3ins tall | |
of slim build | |
with mousy brown, ear length, messy hair with a sweeping fringe | |
and a thin face | |
with a defined jaw line. |
He was wearing
black baggy bottoms | |
and a black Superdry anorak | |
with the hood up and Velcro under the chin. |
Incident 2: Navigation Road
A woman aged in her late teens had her bottom grabbed by a man as she approached the bridge at around 12.30am on Tuesday.
Detectives have issued this description of her attacker.
Have you seen him?
The suspect is…
tall | |
in his late 20s | |
with a tanned complexion | |
and spoke with an English accent. |
He was wearing
a dark grey hoodie | |
with the hood up | |
and dark trousers or jogging bottoms. |
Serious sexual assault on Bootham: CCTV images released
Third sex assault in York – police urge women not to walk alone at night