Woman seriously assaulted in Barnstaple
Police say it's the second serious assault on a woman in the town in a fortnight
Police are investigating the second serious assault on a woman in Barnstaple in the past fortnight.
It happened on the corner of Derby Road and Beaufort Walk, Barnstaple, between 2.30am and 3.15am on Sunday 2 October.
A woman in her 20s was grabbed by a man who forced her to the ground.
She sustained cuts and bruises during the assault before the suspect ran off.
The suspect is described as a white man believed to be in his early 20s with dark hair, of medium build, who was wearing a dark or black hoody with the hood up.
It comes as officers continue to investigate a serious sexual assault on a woman that took place in Barnstaple on Sunday 25 September, in the Gorwell Estate area of Bear Street in Barnstaple between 3.15am and 3.40am.
Officers in Manchester arrested a man on behalf of Devon and Cornwall Police on suspicion of assault yesterday.
A man previously arrested has now been eliminated from enquiries.
North and West Devon Commander Superintendent Toby Davies said: “We currently have two investigations running into serious assaults which have taken place in the Barnstaple area over the past two weeks. At this stage, it is not confirmed that these incidents are linked.
“These attacks are simply unacceptable; women should be able to go out at night without feeling unsafe or at risk of attack.
“There will be an increased police presence in the area and I want to reassure our public that we have dedicated investigation teams focusing on these incidents and making enquiries at pace.
“We also ask that the public report anything suspicious to the police and report any behaviour that has made you feel uncomfortable in bars and clubs to venue staff.”
Anyone with information on either incident is asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police on 101.