Police hunt serial bottom-pincher

Updated 09.39 Wed May 07 2008

Keywords: Manchester, bottom-pincher

Police in Manchester are on the hunt for a serial bottom-pincher who has struck in the city centre.

The Turkish or Greek-looking man has indecently touched 19 victims, aged 13 to 43, over the past year.

"I want to reassure the public that we are following a number of lines of inquiry and I am determined to identify and catch this man" - Detective Sergeant Kay Dennison

The incidents were reported to have happened mainly between 7am and 8am in the Tib Street area.

Detective Sergeant Kay Dennison, from North Manchester CID, said: "This man has struck a number of times over the last 12 months and there is often a large gap between incidents.

"They have not increased in severity; however, the man has put his victims in extremely uncomfortable situations.

"I want to reassure the public that we are following a number of lines of inquiry and I am determined to identify and catch this man."

Police said that in most instances the man approached his victims from behind and tried to sexually assault them by grabbing their bottom.

He is described as being 5ft 6in to 5ft 10in, of slim to medium build and in his late 20s or early 30s. He has olive skin and short black hair and is clean-shaven.

Police said they have CCTV footage of one of the incidents, and are appealing to any witnesses to contact them.