Hunt for serial sex attacker who could be as young as 12 after five women and girls are indecently assaulted

Three girls and two women indecently assaulted in the space of two weeks

All the attacks happened in the same area of south Manchester

Police have identified a boy aged 12 to 16 as the prime suspect

Locals say the age of attacker adds to the 'distressing' nature of crimes 

Police are hunting a serial sex attacker who they believe may be as young as 12 after a spate of assaults in Manchester.

Three girls and two women have been indecently assaulted in less than two weeks in the Whalley Range area in the south of the city.

The victims, aged between their teens and early 20s, were targeted as they walked alone in College Road and between December 3 and December 12.

+2

Three girls and two women have were indecently assaulted in and around College Road and Park Drive, south Manchester in the space of two weeks. Police are hunting a teenage boy they believe is behind the attacks

The boy is said to be Asian, around 5ft 2in tall, of medium build and it is believed he is aged between 12 and 16.

On each occasion they were either grabbed or groped by the offender. Police say they believe the incidents are linked and working hard to bring the attacker to justice.

The attacks came after the rape of a 22 year-old student in the nearby Fallowfield area of the city just over a week ago. Police are not linking the rape and the recent spate of attacks

Det Sgt Scott Halsall said: 'On each occasion, the victims have been walking alone when they have been approached.

'Each time, the five victims have been either grabbed or inappropriately touched causing them distress.

'Due to the nature of the incidents and the similar description of the offender, we believe they are linked.'

+2

Locals in College Road (pictured) say the attacks have been made all the more disturbing by the apparent young age of the alleged attacker

Local councillor Mary Watson said locals have been left 'very worried' at the series of incidents.

She said: 'The ages of the offender which have been given to police do differ slightly, but it seems he is a young boy and the age of the victims are also young - which makes it particularly distressing, especially for parents.

'The police have been carrying out extra patrols.

'It is getting dark a lot earlier now so seeing a uniformed officer around in the early evening should hopefully put people a little more at ease.

'Local youth groups have also been advising members to make sure they do not go home alone after evening activities.

'It is good to know the police are taking it very seriously and we can only hope that they find the person responsible very soon.'