Police think lewd acts in Stroud and Stonehouse may be connected.
Police are appealing for information after a man was reported to be performing a lewd act in public in Stroud yesterday (Thursday, June 23).
The incident happened at around 3pm, close to the canal in Dudbridge.
A group of women were sitting close to the water when they became aware of a man sitting close by, who appeared to be watching them.
The girls got up to leave and noticed the man also left, heading in the direction of Ebley. As they began to walk away, they were approached by a second male who told them that he had seen the first man masturbating while looking at them.
The offender is described as being a white man, 5ft 10in, and aged in his mid-50s to mid-60s. He had long grey hair and was wearing a hat and sunglasses.
Officers are now working to establish whether it links to a previous incident that took place by the canal between Bond’s Mill estate on Bristol Road and Stonehouse Court last month.
On that occasion, a member of the public saw what appeared to have been a man lying on the floor masturbating. It was reported as taking place between 4.30pm and 4.45pm on Sunday, May 22.
Anyone with information about the incident in Stroud yesterday should contact police through the website, quoting incident 326 of 23 June: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/us/a-crime-that-has-already-been-reported/
