Search for suspect following four recent sexual assaults

Police have stepped up patrols around Chiswick in the wake of the four sexual assaults on women which they believe are linked to the same suspect. Women have also been advised not to walk on their own late at night if possible.

The police have also issued advice to local residents about how to increase personal security while out and about. Three of the four incidents took place close to Chiswick High Road.

The suspect has been described as white, 5ft 4ins to 5ft 9ins, aged 25 to 30, stocky or athletic build with brown hair. During the assaults he has been wearing a grey style beanie hat. Two of the victims have told police that the assailant spoke Spanish.

Police said there were a number of steps people could take to help keep safe.

- Think ahead and plan your journey, especially your journey home.
- Try to avoid walking alone at night. Keep to well-lit main roads where possible and avoid deserted areas. - Don’t take shortcuts down alleyways, across waste ground, or through wooded areas, if possible.
- Take a mobile phone or personal safety alarm with you.
- Try to avoid wearing headphones because they reduce your ability to hear potential trouble.

The police say they are anxious to hear from the public about any suspicious behaviour or unusual incidents in the area in the past few weeks.

Map shows Sharon Road

The most recent attack took place in the early hours of Sunday (30 November). The 37-year-old victim was walking from Chiswick High Road along Dukes Avenue at around 3am. At this point she was joined by a man who asked her for directions. He continued to follow her to Sharon Road where he assaulted her. The victim screamed and this alerted a member of the public and the assailant ran off.

The first happened on Saturday, 15 November at 2am. The 34-year-old female victim had walked from Chiswick High Road, along Dukes Avenue towards Barrowgate Road, where she became aware that a man was following her. On Barrowgate Road the suspect indecently assaulted the victim, but she resisted and the man ran off in the direction of Sutton Court Road.

The second incident happened on Monday, 24 November on Fishers Lane, Chiswick at approximately 6.30pm. The 28-year-old female victim was walking when a man approached her from behind and indecently assaulted her. The victim jumped away and the suspect ran off towards Acton Green.

Fishers Lane and Dukes Avenue

Close by that same day, and around the same time, in Kingscote Road, a 52-year-old woman was walking with her adult daughter. A man approached the mother from behind and indecently assaulted her. The victim jumped away and the suspect ran off towards St Albans Avenue.

Kingscote Road

Detective Constable Emma Pestridge of Hounslow CID said. "These are frightening incidents and we urgently want to find this man. If anyone else has been approached in this manner their information could be the vital. I would ask anyone who may have seen this man, or who knows who he is, to contact Hounlsow police.”

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Broom said; "These incidents are clearly of concern to our community and very distressing for the victims involved. I want to assure people that these crimes are a being thoroughly investigated, and the enquiry is both detailed and extensive. We are working closely with our partners and speaking to our residents. In the meantime we have increased police patrols to reassure and protect our community.”

Anyone with information should contact DC Emma Pestridge at Hounslow CID on Tel: 020 8247 6650. You can also phone Crimestoppers on Tel: 0800 555 111 if you do not want to give your name.

December 3, 2014