15/11/2013
Images Of Suspect Released Following Needle Attacks
Detectives investigating a number of needle attacks on women in Birmingham city centre have released an image of a suspect following the latest incident earlier this month.
The most recent assault happened at around 3am on Sunday 3 November, when a 30-year-old woman felt a sharp pain in her thigh, which was later confirmed as a puncture wound.
It was reported to police several days later, who believe the offence may be linked to two similar attacks earlier in the year on a 20-year-old woman on Sunday 23 June and a 28-year-old woman on Sunday 6 October.
Detective Inspector Julie Woods, from Force CID, said: "We have received five reports in total over the last year-and-a-half and although the women have not been left with any obvious physical injuries they have had to endure an agonising wait to check that they have not suffered any long-lasting health effects.
"Whilst we have been unable to confirm exactly how the injuries were caused, it is believed that a hypodermic needle may have been used on each occasion, with young women being specifically targeted.
"Due to the nature of the offences, victims have not realised they have been injured until hours or days later, which has resulted in limited lines of enquiry. But we now have a particularly clear image of a man we want to identify in connection with the attacks and I would appeal for him, or anyone who knows who he may be, to come forward.
"These are strange offences and the motive at this stage is unclear, which is why it's so important for us to identify the person in this CCTV image as soon as possible."
(CD/JP)
The most recent assault happened at around 3am on Sunday 3 November, when a 30-year-old woman felt a sharp pain in her thigh, which was later confirmed as a puncture wound.
It was reported to police several days later, who believe the offence may be linked to two similar attacks earlier in the year on a 20-year-old woman on Sunday 23 June and a 28-year-old woman on Sunday 6 October.
Detective Inspector Julie Woods, from Force CID, said: "We have received five reports in total over the last year-and-a-half and although the women have not been left with any obvious physical injuries they have had to endure an agonising wait to check that they have not suffered any long-lasting health effects.
"Whilst we have been unable to confirm exactly how the injuries were caused, it is believed that a hypodermic needle may have been used on each occasion, with young women being specifically targeted.
"Due to the nature of the offences, victims have not realised they have been injured until hours or days later, which has resulted in limited lines of enquiry. But we now have a particularly clear image of a man we want to identify in connection with the attacks and I would appeal for him, or anyone who knows who he may be, to come forward.
"These are strange offences and the motive at this stage is unclear, which is why it's so important for us to identify the person in this CCTV image as soon as possible."
(CD/JP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.