Appeal for information relating to suspicious behaviour in Milton, Southsea

Officers are investigating a number of reports of a suspicious man approaching women in the Milton area of Southsea.

We’ve received around 10 reports of this man stopping women and asking for directions to the nearest sexual health clinic.

There have also been reports of this man then showing some of these women inappropriate photos on his phone. In the majority of incidents reported to us, the man has either been on his phone or holding his phone during these encounters.

Police were first notified of these incidents in August this year, but we believe this behaviour may have been occurring as far back as April this year and up until August.

No criminal offences have been reported to police, however we are keen to identify this person to address this behaviour.

The man has been described as white with pale skin, slim, approximately 6ft tall, tidy looking, aged in his early 20s, with ginger or strawberry blond hair.

A 20 year-old man from Southsea has now been arrested on suspicion of using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and causing a public nuisance. He has been bailed until 4 January 2024 pending further enquiries.

We are keen to hear from anyone who has experienced this behaviour to please report this to police on 101, quoting 44230334119. 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 their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org