West Midlands Police are warning residents to be vigilant after a series of incidents in Selly Oak where young women have been threatened by a masked man over the last week.
Four incidents have been reported, all happening in the early hours of the morning, where young women, who were alone, have been approached by a man in a mask:
- Sunday 20th November – Lottie Road – man wearing gorilla mask and holding a knife pushed a passerby and exposed himself.
- Sunday 20th November – Lottie Road – a man beckoned to a woman on her doorstep – she immediately closed the door
- Thursday 24th November – Hubert Road – woman grabbed by a man wearing a gorilla mask who exposed himself – threatened with what is believed to be a firelighter – woman managed to get away after a struggle
- Saturday 26th November – Warwards Lane – woman grabbed from behind by man wearing a ‘Yoda’ mask who exposed himself – woman threatened with a knife and forced to perform a sexual act on the man
Police are taking these incidents extremely seriously and overnight the area was flooded with plain clothes officers in an attempt to catch the offender. Unfortunately, efforts to trace him have so far been unsuccessful.
Officers are searching CCTV footage, in an attempt to trace the man, and are in liaison with the University of Birmingham to provide reassurance and crime prevention messages to students.
The offender is described as:
- White
- 40 to 50years old
- 5ft 6ins to 5ft 8ins tall
- Slim build
- Short grey hair
Detective Inspector Karl Fletcher, from the force’s Public Protection Unit, said: “These are extremely serious attacks and we have placed a large number of resources into catching the offender.
“We are now appealing to the public for information to help us trace the man.”
Extra patrols are continuing in the area and DI Fletcher advises that young women should be vigilant late at night and should walk home with friends or take a taxi.
Anyone who has any information should call police immediately on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you see a crime in progress, please call 999.