Police are on the hunt for a male cyclist who has been accused of harassing lone women in South Shields.
Officers from Northumbria Police have called for the public's help as they try and find the man following several reports of him approaching women in the South Tyneside town.
They were first contacted on May 30 by a woman who was approached by a man on a bicycle on Sea Winnings Way, who asked her to look at his phone and showed her a lewd picture before riding off.
She described him as tall, of slim build and was wearing dark joggers and a dark grey hoodie.
He appeared to be late teens to mid-20s with mousey blonde hair.
Since then, a number of similar incidents have been reported to police, all taking place in the sea front area of South Shields and commonly between the hours of 6am and 10am.
This includes reports a male sexually assaulted women by cycling past and slapping them on the buttocks before cycling away.
Others report a male has engaged them in conversation, making lewd comments towards them or inviting them to look at indecent images of himself on his phone.
Every woman has given a similar description of the man and all incidents are being treated as linked.
Officers have now released a CCTV image of a man who may be able to assist with their enquires.
Inspector Denise Easdon, of the southern neighbourhood team, said: “I want to start by reminding the person responsible that incidents of this nature will absolutely not be tolerated and are treated very seriously.
“No person should ever be touched without their permission, leered at, subjected to viewing indecent images or propositioned in an intimidating manor and officers are doing everything we can to locate the suspect.
“None of the women were injured, however they have understandably been left shaken by what happened.”
She added: “We have carried out a number of enquiries and increased patrols in the seafront area, especially early in the morning when the cyclist is reportedly most active.
“But despite our ongoing efforts, we are sadly yet to trace him.
“We are now appealing to the public for help. We ask anyone who might have any information, however insignificant they might believe it to be, to please come forward.”
If you are pictured in the CCTV image, recognise the person, or able to assist the investigation, email escw-styneside.npt@northumbria.pnn.police.uk quoting reference 297 of May 30 or call 101.
