Two women were sexually assaulted in Manchester.
At around 10.15pm on Tuesday 31 July 2012, a 17-year-old girl was walking along Princess Road, Hulme, when she was approached by a man who sexually assaulted her.

When she screamed, he ran off.
The second incident took place at around 11.15pm on Wednesday 1 August 2012.

A 24-year-old woman was walking home and opened the door to her house in Moss Side.

s she was about to close the door, a man pushed her inside the house and sexually assaulted her.

She punched him before he ran off in the direction of Great Western Street.

The man in the first incident is described as being black, 18 or 19 years old, of skinny build, 5ft 8ins tall and had shaved short hair. He wore a light blue shirt, blue tie, black trousers and black shoes.

The man in the second incident is described as being black, in his early 20s, of slim build and around 5ft 9ins tall. He had stubble, wore a grey hooded top that had stripes down the arm and dark jeans.

Detective Sergeant John Robb from South Manchester CID said: “Understandably, these two incidents will be of concern to residents in the area but I can reassure them that we are doing all we can to find out who is responsible for these assaults so we can take them off our streets.
“These offences are very serious and we have increased police patrols in the area.

If anyone has any concerns, I would urge them to speak to their local officer.

“It is too early to say whether these assaults are linked and if anyone has information or saw the assaults take place, please contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 5850 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police are investigating a number of sexual assaults on women in south Manchester. 

In the latest incident, two women, both aged 18, were sexually assaulted on Barnhill Street at about 4.50am on Saturday 4 August 2012.

The offender is described as black, in his late teens, and was wearing a dark grey hooded jacket. 

Both victims are yet to be video interviewed by specially trained officers but detectives are investigating whether it is linked to three other similar incidents since 19 July 2012:

Sometime between 8am and 8.20am on 19 July 2012, a 45-year-old woman was on Great Western Street, Moss Side, when a man approached and walked past her.

He then turned around and walked next to her before sexually assaulting her. 

He is described as black, between 19 and 23 years old, of medium build, 5ft 6in tall and was wearing a blue bubble jacket.

“Incidents such as this will understandably cause concern in the local community, in particular among women, and I want to reassure them we are doing all we can to identify whoever is responsible." DI Carter

At about 10.30pm on 31 July 2012, a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on Princess Road, Hulme.

The offender is described as black, 18 or 19 years old, of skinny build, 5ft 8in tall and was wearing a blue shirt and blue tie.

At about 11am on 1 August 2012, a 24-year-old woman was followed along Wilmslow Road and Moss Lane East by the offender.

As the woman entered a house on Playfair Street he followed her in and sexually assaulted her. 

He is described as having dark skin, being 5ft 9in tall, of slim build and in his early 20s.

Detective Inspector Theresa Carter, said: “We are still trying to establish the exact circumstances of this latest incident and are supporting the two victims who are yet to provide a detailed account of what happened.

“But based on an initial account we are treating this matter extremely seriously and believe it could be linked to three similar incidents that have happened in the area over the past few weeks.

“Incidents such as this will understandably cause concern in the local community, in particular among women, and I want to reassure them we are doing all we can to identify whoever is responsible.

“We have good descriptions of this person, who has worn fairly distinctive clothing - particularly the blue bubble jacket one on occasion and the blue shirt and tie on another - and will are making inquiries to try and identify.

“I would urge anyone that thinks they know who is responsible, recognises the description of the person and clothes worn or has any information about any incident to call us.

“We will also have officers out on patrol in the area to offer reassure and if anyone is concerned they should come and talk to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4146, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Name: Rashid Rashid

Age: 25

Known to live or offend in: Bolton

Offence: Wanted for sexual offence

Location of Offence: Bolton

Date of Offence: 26/9/11

Police have released an image of a man wanted in connection with a sexual offence.
Officers are keen to speak to Rashid Rashid (04/07/1987) after an incident in the Breightmet area of Bolton on Monday 26 September 2011.

It is believed Rashid was last living in the Manchester area.

Anyone with information to his whereabouts are asked to contact Bolton CID on 0161 856 2161 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Name: Muhammed Shahzad

Age: 40

Known to live or offend in: Rochdale

Offence: Wanted for rape
Location of Offence: Rochdale

Date of Offence: April 2011

Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to as part of an ongoing investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rochdale.

Muhammed Shahzad, born 1/4/72, of Jepheys Street, Rochdale, was arrested on suspicion of rape on 1 April 2011 and absconded while on police bail on 16 June 2011.

Since then police have made a large number of inquiries, which have now been exhausted, so officers took the decision to issue Muhammed Shahzadâ’s picture.

It is believed he could now be in Rochdale, Oldham or elsewhere in the north west or even further afield.

Detective Inspector Mike Sanderson, who is leading the investigation, said: We have released a photograph of Muhammed Shahzad in an effort to help trace him.

"He was arrested in connection with an extremely serious offence so it is vitally important you call us if you know where Muhammed is.

"If you see this man please call the police or walk into your nearest police station."

Anyone with information of Muhammed Shahzad's whereabouts is asked to called the Major Incident Team on 0161 856 1731 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Woman, 29, raped after night out in Rochdale

Greater Manchester Police say the 29-year-old woman was seized from behind by a man and raped behind houses on Belfield Lane at 2:00am on Saturday.

The man is described as Asian, 5ft 2in (1.5m), muscular and in his late 30s, with a stud earring in his left ear and short dark hair with long spikes, and was wearing light coloured baggy jeans, a sandy-coloured belt with a silver buckle and dark hooded top.

Police said they were trying to reassure nervous local residents that they believe it to be an isolated case.

A 33-year-old man was arrested at an early stage in the investigation but has since been eliminated.

A trial date is set for 14 January 2013.

A total of nine men have now been charged as part of Operation Bullfinch, targeting alleged child sex trafficking involving about 50 girls.

The men facing charges are Anjum Dogar, 30, and his brother Akhtar, 31, both of Tawney Street; and Kamar Jamil, 26, of Aldrich Road.
Also charged are Zeshan Ahmed, 26, of Palmer Road; Mohammed Karrar, 37, of Cowley Road; Mohammed Hussain, 24, of Horspath Road; Assad Hussain, 31, of Ashurst Way; along with Bassan Karrar, 32, and Balel Ahmed, 25, of no fixed address.
Thames Valley Police have said they expect to make further arrests in the coming months.

All nine men were remanded in custody.