A MAN has been arrested after a number of women were reportedly assaulted in Andover town centre.

Police received reports of four incidents that took place on Monday, June 3. All four incidents involved women being approached by a man they did not know and being touched inappropriately.

On Tuesday, June 4, a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two counts of sexual assault, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, one count of common assault and a public order offence, in connection with the following incidents:

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  • An 18-year-old woman reported that a man approached her from behind and struck her over clothing, before running away, at around 1.30pm on Monday, June 3 in the George Yard area. (44240232617)

  • At around 2pm on the same day, a woman in her 40s reported that a man approached her from behind and touched her dress as she walked through the churchyard at St Mary’s Church, in Church Close. (44240232650)

  • At around 3.30pm, it was reported that a man approached a 17-year-old girl and her friend, as they were sitting on a grassy area off Charlton Road, before sexually assaulting her. She kicked him and the man ran away. (44240232826)

  • It was reported that at around 6pm on the same day, a woman in her 30s was approached from behind and touched over clothing on a footpath near Enham Arch Retail Park. (44240233049)

The man has also been arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure following an incident in Springfield Close, Andover, on Saturday, June 1. He remains in police custody. 

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said the enquiries into each of the incidents are at an 'early stage' and they would like to hear from anyone who has any information.

They added that they would also like to hear from anyone who experienced anything similar on Monday, June 3, but has not yet reported it to police.

Sergeant Rob Perry, from Andover’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “These are concerning incidents, and we are following every line of enquiry available to us to work out what happened, find out who is responsible and bring them to justice.

“Our officers will be making those enquiries today and carrying out patrols in the town centre. Please do speak to them if you have any concerns, questions or information.

“You can help our enquiries by contacting us with any information you may have, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Perhaps you witnessed one of these incidents, or were in the area at the time? Please contact us if so.”

Contact Hampshire Constabulary by calling 101 and quoting the crime reference number listed above, or visit hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/