Hampshire Constabulary

Officers in Portsmouth are appealing for information after four indecent incidents across the city.

The incidents have taken place within the space of eight days, and police are now looking into whether or not they may be linked.

Between 9.45pm and 10pm on Wednesday, November 12, a 21-year-old woman from Portsmouth was walking towards a bus stop on Northern Parade, at the junction with Howard Road.

A man who had been at the bus stop began walking ahead of her. He turned off the path and when the woman looked up he had opened his clothing to reveal a black bra and pink thong worn underneath.

The woman stopped momentarily but kept walking past. The man adjusted his outer clothing and returned to his seat at the bus shelter.

The man is described as:

• White
• Around 25 years old
• 5ft 6ins tall
• Medium build
• Clean shaven
• Wearing a black woollen hat pulled down to his eyebrows, a black long sleeved top, faded blue jeans and black work style boots

At around 4.30pm on Friday, November 14, a 16-year-old girl from Fratton was on a bus going home. It was a First Bus, on the no40 route from Crookhorn precinct to the Horse and Jockey pub in Hilsea.

As the girl went to get off at her stop a man who appeared to be drunk blocked her path and made crude suggestions to her. The girl missed her stop as a result.

The girl then went to get off at the next stop instead. The man did not follow her but touched her bottom as she passed him.

The man is described as:

• White, but with dark or tanned complexion
• 30 years old
• Medium build
• Short dark hair and facial stubble
• Wearing a beige jacket and blue jeans

At around 4.15pm on Monday, November 17, a 14-year-old girl from Fratton was walking down Kingston Road after getting off of the bus from school, and was looking to cross the road in the direction of Binstead Road.

She had noticed a man behind her, who shouted something at her. She ignored the man, who seemed to be drunk, and kept walking.

The man then grabbed her arm and turned her around to face him, pulling her towards the Co Op shop. He then loosened his grip as he attempted to expose himself to her, so the girl turned and ran away.

The man is described as:

• White
• Between 20 and 30 years old
• 5ft 9ins tall
• Medium build
• Facial stubble
• Wearing a woollen hat, faded blue jeans and a dark green jacket

The final incident was reported by a member of the public who witnessed what happened, and police are asking for the girl involved, or her parents, to contact them.

Between 4.45pm and 5pm on Thursday, November 20, a girl of around 15 was seen with two other girls, aged around 10 years old, one of whom was on a bike. They were on Powerscourt Road near to the junction with Kingston Road.

A man appeared to be following the girls. He suddenly leaned in and attempted to put his hand on or under the skirt of the oldest girl, before running away towards Kingston Road.

The man is described as:

• Dark skinned, possibly Asian
• Between 25 and 33 years of age
• 5ft 7ins tall
• Slim build
• Short dark hair
• Slim, almost pointed nose
• Appeared well dressed, wearing dark trousers and a beige jacket

Detective Inspector John Geden said, “It is very worrying that we have had four reports in the space of just two weeks and we are urging people to call in if they have details on any of the incidents detailed here. These kinds of actions are very serious and we must identify the men responsible.

“Some of the descriptions given do differ but we are looking at any links between the cases, and that’s why we need members of the public to call us, as even the smallest piece of information could prove vital.

“I would urge people to report any incident such as these in the first instance, and take care when walking alone or if young people are out alone. Make sure your parents know where you are and the route you will take. We want to prevent any more if theses very distressing occurrences from happening again.”