An urgent search has been launched after a woman approached three children in a park before inviting one of them back to her home. Police are appealing for information from the public to identify the suspect following the incident.
The woman approached the children in the Spring Boroughs’ pocket park, in Northampton, between 4.30pm and 5pm on Tuesday, September 30. She offered them gum before stroking one of the children on his back over his clothing. Police said she then invited him back to her home for a hot drink before the children fled and reported the incident.
According to Northamptonshire Police, the suspect is a white woman in her late 50s, and of a slim build with medium length grey hair. She was wearing a distinctive pink hooded/snood type top with a doughnuts pattern. Investigating officers are particularly keen to speak with anyone in the area at the time who may have seen the woman. They also want to hear from anyone with relevant doorbell or dashcam footage which could identify the woman.
The force said in a public appeal: “Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
“Information can also be submitted online at Report | Northamptonshire Police and Giving information | Crimestoppers.
“Please quote incident number 25000576246 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.”
It comes after a girl, 17, was allegedly raped by a man in West Sussex earlier this month. Local police launched an investigation following the reported attack on Thursday, October 2.
A local resident described the situation as “really worrying”.
She said: “The police wanted to see anything the camera recorded on Thursday evening and between 4am and 5am on Friday morning.
“It’s broad daylight at that time in the evening, then it’s really early in the morning. I don’t understand what that could be about.”
