Teenage girl approached by man in Hassocks

Police have arrested a man after a 17-year-old girl was approached in Hassocks.
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Officers believe this incident may be linked to a further three similar reports and police would like to hear from anyone who believes they have also been a victim of this crime in the Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint or North Brighton area.

Police said the 17-year-old girl was approached by a man in his 30s, who was driving a silver vehicle in London Road, Hassocks, around 10pm on Wednesday (May 27).

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The man, who was not known to the victim, asked the girl to get in his car but she declined and walked away, police said.

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Police believe this incident may be linked to a 44-year-old woman being approached in Langton Lane, Hassocks, in June 2019; a 22-year-old woman being approached in Hurst Road, Hurstpierpoint, in November and a 16-year-old girl being approached in Copse Hill, Brighton in December.

Investigating officer Sam Bate said: “We would like to praise the victims in the case for coming forward and reporting this to us as suspicious behaviour.

“Further investigation work has taken place and we believe the four incidents could be linked due to the similarities in the nature of the occurrences and description.

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“You can report information to us either online or call 101 quoting Operation Ecuador.”

On Sunday (May 31), police arrested a 32-year-old man from Burgess Hill on suspicion of stalking involving serious alarm or distress and harassment without violence, according to a police spokesman. He was released on police bail until Friday, June 5.