Police are urging women in the Northern Beaches area to be mindful of their own safety after four women were indecently assaulted. Detectives from Northern Beaches Local Area Command formed Strike Force Copplestone to investigate separate assaults upon women in the suburbs of Seaforth, Balgowlah, Fairlight and Manly. The four assaults occurred between Friday 20 June and Wednesday 9 July 2014, with women reporting they were approached from behind by a man who indecently assaulted them. The assaults all occurred between 8pm and midnight and while the women were walking along dark footpaths on the side of the road. Northern Beaches Local Area Command’s Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Craig Wonders has appealed for anyone with information about the assaults to contact police. “The descriptions of the man involved in each assault are very similar and the women are all aged in their 30s which leads us to believe these incidents may be linked. “The man involved has been described as being of Caucasian appearance, 165-183cm tall with a slim to medium build, 20-30 years old and wearing a dark jacket with a white or grey hood. “Investigators are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry to identify and locate the man but I would still appeal for anyone with information about the incidents to contact police,” said Det Insp Wonders. Police are also urging women to remain mindful of their own safety and surroundings when out walking in the area late at night. “These incidents are very concerning and I would urge anyone who is out walking or travelling alone along Sydney Road and nearby streets to be mindful of their own safety. “If you can’t get a lift home then you should stick to well lit areas and footpaths or walk in a group or with friends. You should always tell a friend or loved-one where you are going and what time you will be home. “You should also turn off electronic devices and remove headphones so you can be more aware of your surroundings. “A torch and a mobile phone are must-have items and if you feel scared for your safety you should seek assistance or contact police immediately,” Det Insp Wonders said. The four indecent assaults occurred at: *About 8pm on Friday 20 June 2014 on Hope Street, Seaforth, *About 12:40am on Saturday 21 June 2014 on Rickard Road, Balgowlah, * About 11:25pm on Wednesday 2 July 2014 on Sydney Road, Fairlight, and; * About 8pm on Wednesday 9 July 2014 on Birkley Road, Manly. Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 07:42:14 +0000
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