Police have released CCTV images in an effort to identify a male believed to hold information about an assault on Burns Rd, Napier, on Sunday.
Yesterday police announced they were investigating two further indecent assaults against women in public places at the weekend; aftera number of reported assaults on female walkers, joggers and high school students.
A police spokesperson said a woman walking on Burns Rd in Napier at about 8.45am on Sunday was approached by a young man and indecently assaulted, before he ran away towards Battery Rd.
Do you know this man? Photo / Supplied
At 9.55am a woman walking on Iona Rd in Havelock North was indecently assaulted by a young man who ran away down Breadalbane Rd.
Hawke's Bay Area Commander Inspector Dave Greig said police are working to establish whether there is any connection between the assaults.
"We are very focused on supporting the victims of this offending and on finding the person or persons responsible."
Do you know this man? Photo / Supplied
Inquiry head Detective Sergeant Jason Crowe said the man in the images was a person of interest in relation to Saturday's Burns Rd assault.
"It's important that we identify and speak to this person as quickly as possible as we believe that he has information relevant to the investigation. If you recognise him please contact Hawke's Bay CIB as soon as you can," he said.
Last Wednesday a Woodford House student was running with a friend when she was reportedly grabbed by a young, well-dressed male as they ran past him on Palmerston Rd in Havelock North.
The following morning a Napier Girls' High School student reported being grabbed from behind by a man while walking to school on Bluff Hill.
Napier Girls' High School principal Dawn Ackroyd said the school, which offered self-defence classes to Year 10 students, was refreshing techniques with students in that year group and introducing classes to Year 9 students early.
Police wanted to hear from anyone who was in the Burns Rd or Iona Rd areas around the time of the assaults on Sunday morning and who may have seen anything that could assist the investigation.
They would also like to hear from anyone else who may have been attacked.
Detective Sergeant Crowe said anyone approached by a man should shout and scream to alert those around them.
"If you become a victim, ring 111 as soon as you can, and if you think you've witnessed any suspicious behaviour within the Napier Hill, Taradale or Havelock North areas over the last month or so, please don't hesitate to call police," he said.
People with information can ring Hawke's Bay CIB on (06) 211 3872 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if they wish to remain anonymous.
