Detectives investigating a series of attacks on women in Hayes are appealing for the victims to come forward.
A man has been arrested but officers are keen to trace those targeted.
Detective Constable Katherine Ellis-Cramp, investigating officer, said: “These assaults are spontaneous, violent and target women walking on the street in the evening.
“While we have received four reports of incidents witnessed by members of the public, the victims themselves have not come forward and may need support.”
The four incidents are:
- On Sunday, 11 August at around 21:00hrs, a witness reported seeing a man slap a woman as he tried to steal her bag on Delamere Road, Hayes.
- On Monday, 12 August between 22:00 and 23:00hrs a witness reported that a woman was pushed over and the suspect tried to approach her child on Delamere Road, Hayes.
- Officers recovered footage of an incident where a woman was pushed over at Delamere Road, Hayes on Tuesday, 13 August at around 20:30hrs.
- On Saturday, 17 August a witness reported having seen an elderly woman pushed over at Uxbridge Road/Delamere Road at around 20:30hrs.
DC Ellis-Cramp added: “The impact of being a victim of assault should not be underestimated.
“If you know, or indeed are, one of the victims in this sequence of offences, or a victim of any similar assault in the Delamere Road, Hayes area, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – at the very least so that we can give you some support and check that you are okay.”
A 19-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assault on Tuesday, 20 Augusts has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Anyone who has information should call police on 101 or post on X @MetCC quoting CAD 7027/17AUG.
Alternatively, you can report crime online here.