POLICE patrols have been stepped up along a towpath in Kidderminster after three reports of sexual offences in less than a week.

In the latest incident, two women in their 20s were walking along a towpath near Caunsall bridge on Wednesday between 7.30pm and 8pm when a man indecently exposed himself.

They noticed a man on a canal boat looking at them through the window and they walked away, but then realised he was naked, had got off the boat and was walking towards them. The women ran away.

Officers later searched the area, but the man and the boat had gone.

The offender was white, aged 30 to 40, of slim build, with shoulder length wavy brown hair. The boat was grey with a white trim.

It followed an incident in which a woman jogging with her dogs along the towpath near Lea Lane in nearby Cookley saw a man who was naked from the waist down on the other side of the canal, just before 8pm on Monday.

The man was white with a tanned complexion, of medium build, about 25 to 30 years old and was wearing a long sleeved black jumper and a black beanie hat.

Meanwhile, another woman was sexually assaulted by one of three men riding a motorbike as she ran along the canal towpath near Caunsall bridge at about 6.20pm on Saturday, June 29.

On that occasion the men all appeared to be in their late teens or early 30s. One was bald and another was wearing a camouflage jacket.

Patrols by police and community support officers along the towpath have been increased, and PC Andy Wallace, of West Mercia Police, said officers were looking into whether any of the incidents were linked.

PC Wallace said: “We are encouraging anyone running or walking along the canal towpath to be vigilant, especially in the evenings.

“We are also urging them to carry a mobile phone so they can contact us immediately on 999, as this gives us the best chance of locating the offender.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should call police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.