Attempted robbery could be linked to two other crimes against women

A 15-year-old girl was walking from Goring railway station towards Littlehampton, on Friday, when she was shoved in the back and attempts were made to take her bag. She resisted and her lone attacker ran off down an alleyway.

The incident came just a day after a 19-year-old woman was grabbed as she left public toilets on Ferring village green. She managed to break free and run to a nearby shop for help.

Ten minutes later a 36-year-old woman, accompanied by her ten-year-old daughter, was approached in Meadow Way, Ferring, and asked by a youth to help him find his injured dog.

While travelling in her van to nearby Onslow Drive he made sexual remarks and tried to accost her. The woman removed him from the vehicle and locked herself and daughter inside. The attacker then made off.

None of the victims were seriously hurt. In each case their assailant was said to be a young man wearing a light grey or khaki waterproof jacket.

Detective Constable Natalie Freeman, of West Sussex Criminal Investigation Department, said: “One line of enquiry we are following is that these incidents may be linked.

“Crime of this nature is extremely rare in these communities and we are carrying out a thorough investigation into all three attacks.

“Meanwhile police patrols in the area have been reinforced, both to deter further offending and to try to identify the person responsible as swiftly as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to email [email protected] or phone 101. Alternatively, it is possible to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.