Man, 36, arrested after three sexual assaults on woman at Bradley Stoke nature reserve are linked

A man has been arrested in connection with three sexual offences in and around a nature reserve in Bradley Stoke - after police linked together the three incidents which took place between August 4 to September 1.

The 36-year-old man is now in custody while neighbourhood police teams increase patrols in the area while also publishing an appeal for help in the ongoing investigation.

The first incident was at Three Brooks Nature Reserve on August 4 at 8.30pm, when a woman was seriously sexually assaulted by a man while out walking.

It is now being linked to two more incidents which have happened since.

One happened at the nature reserve on August 23, between 3.10pm and 5.10pm, where a woman was sexually assaulted by being touched inappropriately.

The second was in Savages Wood on September 1, just after 6pm, where a woman in her 40s was pushed over by a man and sexually assaulted.

Yesterday evening (September 6), the 36-year-old man was arrested in connection with the three offences.

Insp Jon Nash, of the Neighbourhood Policing team, said: “We know this development in the investigation will be of concern to the local community and we have increased our reassurance patrols of the area in response. We’d encourage any local residents with worries or concerns to speak to the local Neighbourhood Policing team, or any officer on patrol in the area.

“The investigation is being led by Operation Bluestone, our specialist team of officers and staff dedicated to investigating rape and serious sexual assault offences.

“We’ve updated the victims about the developments in this investigation and we’ll be keeping them fully updated as we progress our enquiries further. They will be offered access to any help or support they may need.

“We’re continuing to appeal to the public and local community to continue providing information to us and, as well as the additional patrols, officers will be carrying out further house-to-house enquiries in the Bradley Stoke area.

“We’d appeal to residents to come forward if they have any information which could assist our ongoing investigation, as well as any relevant CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage, in and around the timeframes of the offences listed above.”

Anyone who can help should call on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222189662. If they don’t want to speak to the police, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask for a name or trace a call.