Second man arrested in connection with sexual assault and indecent exposure incidents on the Isle of Wight

Officers investigating a sexual assault and indecent exposure incidents on the Isle of Wight have now arrested a second man.

The man, who is 56 and from Cowes, has been arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure offences. He has been bailed until 2 October pending further enquiries.

The arrest has been made in connection with the following incidents:

• It was reported to us that between 5.30pm and 6pm yesterday evening (Saturday 1 July) a woman in her 20s saw a man indecently exposing himself on the cycle track between Cowes and Stag Lane.
• We received a report that a man had indecently exposed himself to a woman on the coastal path near Marsh Street, Gurnard, at around 4.30pm on Thursday 29 June.
• At around 7pm on Tuesday 27 June an 18-year-old woman reported that she was sexually assaulted on the cycle track between Cowes and Stag Lane by a man not known to her. After the assault, the man exposed himself and the woman ran off.

The arrest is also in connection with an incident reported to us earlier in June, on Monday 12th, in which a man indecently exposed himself to a woman in her 70s in woodland near Northwood Cemetery.

Isle of Wight Chief Inspector Alex Charge said: “We know that the local community will understandably be very concerned to hear of these reports, and we would like to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to investigate the circumstances.

“These incidents have of course been very distressing for the people involved. We want you to know that this will not be tolerated by police.

“Our enquiries are still in their early stages and detectives are working hard to establish the full circumstances of each of these incidents. We will continue to investigate this as a priority over the coming days, following all lines of enquiry available, including CCTV scoping and speaking to witnesses. Our officers will remain in the area conducting enquiries and patrolling. Please do come and speak to them if you have any information or concerns.

“As we continue to investigate, we would like to hear from anyone who was on the cycle track between Cowes and Stag Lane yesterday evening (Saturday 1 July) between 5.30pm and 6pm. We would also still like to speak to anyone who was on the cycle track on the evening of June 27 and anyone who saw a man with a Jack Russell dog on the Gurnard coastal path on June 29.

“Were you in any of these areas around the time these offences occurred? Did you see anything that may assist our investigation? As our enquiries continue we are keen to hear from any witnesses or anyone with information.”

A 49-year-old man from Ryde, who was previously arrested in connection with these incidents, has been released from custody on conditional police bail to allow for further enquiries to take place.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 44230258548.

You can also submit information to us online here: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

Always dial 999 if a crime is in progress.