POLICE say they have arrested a teenage boy after an incident where a teenage girl was accosted on a footpath in Thornbury.
They say the boy has been arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and outraging public decency after four separate incidents involving someone wearing jogging bottoms exposing himself in the town between April and this month.
The arrest was made on Thursday – two days after a public appeal for information.
The boy, who is in his mid-teens, has been questioned and released on police bail over the incident, which happened at around 5pm on Monday of last week, on a footpath off St Davids Road.
Neighbourhood Inspector Stephen Baines said: “The investigation continues, as do targeted patrols by neighbourhood officers.
“We’ve also been in touch with local schools.
“We know that people may not always report such incidents, and I’d like to stress that we do want to hear about any incident or area which has left women or girls feeling unsafe.
“Your safety is our priority, and any such information will help us to make sure we have our resources in the right place at the right time.”
Call 999
Insp Baines said anyone who sees someone exposing themselves to them should call 999 as soon as they feel safe to.
He has repeated an appeal for anyone who thinks they may have information or video footage relevant to the investigation to call 101 and give the crime reference number 5225 284 819.
Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
In Tuesday’s appeal police gave details of previous incidents on October 10, on the same footpath, and October 2 in an underpass at nearby Gillingstool.
A further offence has now been reported.
Police are also asking people to report areas where they don’t feel safe here, and inviting women to take part in a scheme called ‘walk and talk‘ where they can show officers in person areas that could be improved.