Police are investigating after three women were sexually assaulted in Manchester city centre in separate incidents.
Between 3.30am and 3.45am on Saturday 30 January 2016 a 19-year-old woman was walking on Oxford Road when she was approached by a man. He put his arm round her and sexually assaulted her, before following her onto Whitworth Street and attempting to assault her again.
The woman managed to push him away and escape.
The man is described as Asian, in his late 20s-early 30s and clean shaven. He was wearing a dark bubble coat and dark jeans. He was carrying an umbrella from outdoor clothing company Blacks, with the logo on.
Police have released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to in connection with this incident.
At about 4am on Saturday 6 February 2016 a 22-year-old woman was walking on Kent Road West in Manchester when a man approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her. The woman struggled and he sexually assaulted her again, but she managed to break free and the man fled.
Between 1.50am and 2.05am on Sunday 14 February 2016 a 21-year-old woman was walking on Minshull Street in Manchester when she was approached by a man. He asked her for her phone number, and she declined but the man followed her down the street. He sexually assaulted her before fleeing in the direction of Canal Street.
Police believe the same man is responsible for all three incidents.
Detective Constable Steve Lowton of North Manchester division said: “We have specially trained officers supporting the women at this difficult time. People will be understandably concerned about what happened and I want to assure you that we are doing all we can to find the man responsible.
“We do believe the same man is responsible for the three incidents. In the first incident the man was carrying an umbrella that is about nine years old and quite rare. If you know someone who has the umbrella in the photos and you recognise the description of the man please get in touch with police.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 3221 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
