Women Grabbed In Platt Fields Park

Police are advising people to be extra careful in the Platt Fields Park area after two incidents where women were grabbed.

On both occasions, an Asian man approached the women while they were on their own and grabbed them.

The first incident happened at about 8pm on 6 January 2012 on Brighton Grove in Rusholme. The woman, 24, was confronted by the offender who asked for directions to Wilmslow Road.

After giving directions, the man then grabbed the woman but she managed to break free and ran off.

The offender was described as being Asian, about 5ft 10in tall, of a chubby build and with black centre-parted hair and a long fringe. He was wearing a beige waist-length jacket with a black and white horizontal-striped top underneath.

The second incident happened a few days later, at about 9.45pm on 12 January 2012. On this occasion, the 19-year-old woman was cycling through the park near to Platt Lane when the man stopped her and asked for directions – again to Wilmslow Road.

He then grabbed the woman by the bicep and told her to come to the centre of the park. The woman pushed him away and screamed, before cycling off.

The offender was said to be Asian, about 5ft 7in tall, of a slim build and in his early to mid 20s. He was wearing a black woolly hat with red on it and wearing a dark coat also with red on it and dark trousers.

Police are now appealing to anyone with information to come forward and are asking people to be vigilant when walking through the park.

Police Community Support Officer Simon Laing said: "This park is very popular with residents, dog walkers and students and clearly there will be concern following these two incidents.

"The reason we have publicised both is to firstly try and catch the man or men responsible by appealing to anyone who has information, or who may have seen the offender hanging around this area, to come forward.

"It is also very important that we ask people to vigilant in the coming weeks. I do not want people to be unduly alarmed and clearly we want people to continue to use the park, but if you are and it is late at night then where possible keep to well-lit areas and stick with your friends.

"The descriptions for both incidents differ, but the close proximity of each offence and the similar modus operandi suggests we may be looking for the same man for both incidents, so please if you do have information then call us."

Anyone with information should call the Neighbourhood Policing Unit on 0161 856 4423 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.