A man from Southampton has been arrested in connection with four public incidents involving women and girls.

Hampshire police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward in connection with the incidents, that all took place in Southampton.

On Friday morning, April 26, police arrested a 21-year-old man from Southampton in connection with the below incidents:

  • On Wednesday (April 24) at approximately 8am a man approached a 14-year-old girl on Highfield Lane and made inappropriate comments towards her.
  • On Monday (April 15) at around 10.30pm a man approached a woman in her 20s on Portswood Road and made inappropriate comments towards her. He then attempted to touch her inappropriately.
  • On Monday (March 18) between 4 and 4.30pm a 19-year-old woman was approached on Tennyson Road by a man unknown to her who repeatedly made inappropriate comments towards her.
  • On Saturday (December 30, 2023) a 15-year-old girl was approached by a man at a bus stop in the city centre, who then attempted to touch her inappropriately.

Nobody was injured on any of these occasions, police said.

The 21-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault, attempted sexual assault and two counts of using threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour to cause harassment/alarm/distress.

He remains in police custody at the current time and police have said enquiries into all four incidents are ongoing.

Officers investigating these incidents are keen to hear from anyone else who may have experienced anything similar and have not yet reported it to police.

Southampton Chief Inspector Chris Douglas said: “We understand that people will naturally be concerned to hear of these incidents and I want to reassure you that we are following every line of enquiry available to us in order to determine who is responsible and bring them to justice.

“As we progress our enquiries we are keen to hear from anyone that may have been the victim of an incident of this nature and has not yet reported it to us – your report could really help us to progress our investigation.

“Local officers will be carrying out dedicated patrols in the affected areas as our investigation progresses behind the scenes. Please do come and speak to them if you have any concerns, questions or information.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 44240161677.