Police dismiss online claims of sex offender

Police have reassured people there is no evidence to support claims on social media of a serial sexual offender.

Reports of several attacks in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, have circulated on social media.

Suffolk Police said it was still appealing for information relating to one incident where a woman reported being sexually assaulted in the area of Parkway and Kings Road on 10 October.

However, Insp Ben Hollands said there was "no information to substantiate that a serial offender is operating" in the town.

The claims on social media have been circulating for about two weeks, and the force eventually felt it needed to address the speculation.

"Rumours of this nature can understandably cause anxiety, and we would urge people not to share unverified claims as this can create unnecessary alarm," he added.

Hollands said officers would carry out patrols at night in the town over the coming weeks and urged people to speak to them if they had concerns.

"We take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and we encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual assault to report it to police," he added.

No arrests have been made over the incident on 10 October.

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