Police investigating two sexual related attacks on busses in the Walsall area have released new CCTV images of the suspect in an attempt to detain him.
Both victims describe the offender as Asian, aged between 25 and 30 and around 5ft 4ins tall. He was of slim to medium build and had jet black hair. The man spoke in broken English.
A 29 year old woman was the most recent victim. She was travelling on the 529 bus towards Walsall, when a man sat down next to her around 12.45pm and touched her “inappropriately”. It was at this moment she jumped from her seat and shouted at him. Upon leaving the bus straight after the incident she reported the attack to the police.
The previous assault was carried out on a 17-year-old girl as she travelled on the 997 bus along Lichfield Road on May 9. She spoke of how she was approached by a man at around 7.40- 8.50pm, who casually hugged her and kissed her. As the bus stopped on Lichfield Road the suspect ran off.
Det Insp Annie O’Grady, from the Public Protection Unit, said: “The two young women were understandably left extremely shaken. We need to get this man off the streets and I want to hear from anyone who recognizes the person in the CCTV images. I’m also keen to hear from any witnesses on either of the two buses who have not yet spoken to us”.
Records show that there have been 3000 crimes on West Midlands buses in the last 12 months. This figure has reduced in comparison to previous years and is a step in the right direction.
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
