Surrey Police is urging the public to remain vigilant and take safety precautions as two sexual assaults on young girls in Surrey are now being investigated as linked.

The assaults took place in Claygate and Ewell around one month apart and were both subject to on-going individual investigations. However as a result of these enquiries, the two incidents are now believed to be linked and the investigation has now been passed to the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team.

On 10 July at around 4.30pm, a 15-year-old girl was riding a bicycle along the Hogsmill River estate in Ewell when she was approached by a man. He pushed her off her bike and sexually assaulted her. The victim was able fight the man off and he ran away in the Ewell direction.

On 17 August around 5.30-6pm a 10-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a man in a wooded area in Claygate while walking to her friend’s house. The victim was able to break away from the man and run to a place of safety.

Officers now believe both offences could have been carried out by the same suspect.

The man has been described as:

  • Asian / tanned complexion / Eastern European
  • Aged in his 30s to mid 40s
  • Short dark collar length hair
  • Full black beard approximately 2cm long
  • Dressed in causal, sports style clothing

Detectives have been reviewing CCTV footage and have carried out thorough and extensive searches of the areas involved but at this time no arrests have been made.

Detective Chief Inspector Jo Hayes, who is leading the investigation, said:  “These incidents are clearly extremely concerning and I want to reassure local residents that we are doing everything we can to try to identify the offender as quickly as possible.

“Both attacks took place when it was still daylight and targeted young girls who were alone in semi-isolated locations. We want parents and children to be aware of these incidents so they take some safety precautions and we need the wider community to remain vigilant and contact us with any information.

“The local Neighbourhood Teams are working with us to increase patrols in the areas around both attacks and you will see officers out conducting house to house enquires over the coming days as we continue looking for witnesses.

“If anyone recognises the description given of the suspect or has any information – no matter how small it may seem - please come forward and pass it to police as it could prove vital.”

Officers are recommending the below advice for parents and children:

  • If you are out, stay together with friends or in public places in sight of other people
  • If you do get separated try to make contact with someone you know who can come and meet you
  • Stay in well-lit areas and make sure other people know where you are
  •  Avoid using a personal music player or mobile phone whilst out walking or jogging
  • If you think you are being followed, quickly make your way to the busiest place you can find, knock on a door and call the police.
  • Consider carrying a personal attack alarm

Anyone who witnessed either incident or with any information, has CCTV or phone footage should call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference 45170090450, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also report information online at https://report.police.uk/.