Sexually motivated incidents at Easter to feature on Police Ten-7

Wellington Police are continuing to investigate sexually motivated attacks which occurred over Easter in the Kelburn-Te Aro area.

Wellington Police have been working closely with Wellington City Council and the University on safety improvements in the area including cutting back foliage, installing brighter LED lighting, getting CCTV in place and increasing Police and security patrols in the area.

While there have been no further attacks in the area since Easter, Police have been able to identify two previous incidents that may be related. The first was on 22 March at around 10.15pm when an unknown male grabbed an 18-year-old young woman on the arms on the Boyd-Wilson walkway near Te Aro School, this young woman has struggled free within a few seconds and run to a nearby friend's address.

The second was on 10 April at around 6.30pm when another 18-year-old young woman was walking past the Kelburn Park carpark and was approached by an unknown male who grabbed her arm from behind. On realising the man was unknown to her, she has fought back and run away.

Detective Senior Sergeant John van den Heuvel says "As well as making safety improvements in the area, we have been working with the victims in these incidents to ensure that any similarities or connections are thoroughly investigated. Alongside the investigation, our CBD Neighbourhood Policing Team have also been working with the student's association to reassure them."

"Police have previously released an identikit image from one description and are asking the public to look at it closely and contact Police if they can recall anyone with similar features being in the Kelburn-Te Aro area."

The male is described as a Caucasian male, aged 25 to 30, who is approximately 180cms tall with a medium build and light coloured facial hair.

Tonight, the crime show Police Ten-7 will feature new information to help identify the man. Police Ten-7 can be viewed at 7.30pm on TV2.

If anyone can provide any information about sightings of someone matching this description or the identikit image in the Kelburn-Te Aro area, particularly at these times please contact the Operation Kelburn investigation team on (04) 381 2000. Information can also be provided anonymously to the Crimestoppers organisation on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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