Police are urgently appealing for information after a string of sex offences against women on popular northern beaches walking trails over the past week.
Five women have been allegedly sexually touched or harassed in as many days on walking tracks at the Narrabeen Lagoon, by a perpetrator riding an e-bike. Another woman said she was assaulted earlier this month.
The first reported incident occurred at 3.55pm last Wednesday, when a woman walking on the Narrabeen Lagoon trail was allegedly sexually touched by a man riding an e-bike, who sped off after committing the assault.
He was described as being of slim build, wearing a fluorescent yellow shirt and dark pants.
About 3.15pm on Thursday, a runner using the Narrabeen Lake trail was allegedly subjected to inappropriate sexual remarks. The perpetrator is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged between 17 and 25, sporting short spiky hair and sideburns.
Two hours later, an e-bike rider allegedly approached another woman exercising at Bilarong Reserve, and sexually touching her before fleeing the area. The offender’s estimated age is 15 or 16, with blond curly hair, wearing a red-and-white T-shirt at the time of the incident.
Two women were allegedly sexual touched within a half-hour span beside Narrabeen Lagoon on Monday afternoon, by a person riding an e-bike. He is described as being aged between 16 and 18, of Caucasian appearance, about 175 centimetres tall. He was wearing a bright yellow top with green on the sides, long black pants and a round black helmet.
One of the women allegedly sexually touched on Monday told the Manly Observer the boy was seen earlier loitering around Bilarong Reserve on his e-bike. She was given a “huge fright” as the boy, riding behind her, allegedly touched her while she was walking away from him and listening to a podcast.
Another woman came forward to police on Monday, alleging she had been sexually touched by a man on an e-bike while walking by the Narrabeen Lagoon two weeks prior, on October 1. She described the man as Caucasian, aged in his 20s and about 175 centimetres tall.
Police announced the establishment of Strike Force Mexvo on Wednesday morning, which will bring together specialist detectives with officers from the Sex Crimes Squad to investigate whether the incidents are linked.
Detectives will also investigate if multiple offenders are responsible for incidents, given the similarities in age, height, and appearance listed by some of the women.
Anyone with information, mobile phone or dashcam footage, or who may have witnessed any of the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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