Five sexual assaults in Manchester 'by one man' police say

Police have increased patrols in south Manchester following five sexual assaults, which officers believe were committed by the same man.

The attacks on women have taken place since July 19 and all were in the Moss Side and Hulme areas.

In all cases the victims described the attacker as black, in his late teens or early 20s, with a slim to medium build.

In the latest incident two 18-year-old girls were assaulted on Barnhill Street at about 04:50 BST.

On 19 July, at about 08:00 BST, a 45-year-old woman was walking along Great Western Street, Moss Side, when a man wearing a blue bubble jacket walked past her, turned and assaulted her.

The next attack took place on 31 July at 22:30 BST on Princess Road, Hulme, when a 17-year-old girl was assaulted by a man wearing a blue shirt and blue tie.

At about 11:00 BST on 1 August a 24-year-old woman was followed along Wilmslow Road and Moss Lane East, then assaulted as she entered a house on Playfair Street.

The man is also described as being about 5ft 6ins (1.7 metres) tall.

Det Insp Theresa Carter said: "We are treating this matter extremely seriously and believe it could be linked to three similar incidents that have happened in the area over the past few weeks.

"Incidents such as this will understandably cause concern in the local community, in particular among women, and I want to reassure them we are doing all we can to identify whoever is responsible.

"We have good descriptions of this person, who has worn fairly distinctive clothing - particularly a blue bubble jacket on one occasion and a blue shirt and tie on another - and we are making inquiries to try and identify him.

"I would urge anyone that thinks they know who is responsible, recognises the description of the person and clothes worn or has any information about any incident to call us.

"We have also put officers out on patrol in the area to offer reassurance and if anyone is concerned they should come and talk to us."