Second arrest is made in hunt for ‘gimp suit’ prowler in Somerset who attacked woman as 14 villagers say sinister latex man approached them
- Woman was accosted by man in a ‘black rubber gimp costume’ last Thursday
- He jumped out and ‘charged at her’ in dark lane in Claverham, Somerset
- Police confirmed they are stepping up patrols to ensure the public is safe
- Did YOU witness mysterious ‘gimp man’ or know his identity? Email joseph.curtis@mailonline.co.uk
Police investigating a ‘gimp suit’ prowler who attacked a woman during a late night walk through a Somerset village have arrested a second man – as 14 people say the black suited man approached them.
The individual – in his 30s – was arrested today on suspicion of indecency offences, and remains in police custody.
The arrests come after a woman said she was walking in a small lane in Claverham, Somerset, when a man allegedly jumped out and charged at her ‘while grunting and breathing heavily’.
The woman said she was ‘hugely affected’ by the incident and wants to warn others so the culprit can be caught before it happens again.
Police said they have received 14 similar reports of a dressed up man jumping out at people in the village since November last year, as reported by Bristol Post.
A woman in Claverham, Somerset, took this picture of the stranger who ‘charged at her’ while wearing a ‘rubber gimp costume’
A police spokesman said: ‘We’ve arrested a second man in connection with a series of incidents in the Claverham/Yatton area.
‘Since November last year, we’ve received 14 reports of a man approaching people while wearing disguises, one of which was a black body suit.
‘In some of the incidents the offender is said to have performed indecent acts.
‘The man, aged in his 30s, was arrested this afternoon on suspicion of indecency offences and he is currently in police custody.
‘The arrest comes after a man in his 20s arrested yesterday was earlier released on police bail.
‘Inquiries into the incidents are ongoing.’
The victim previously told the BBC: ‘It’s not just a man jumping out at me going ‘boo’. Every time I close my eyes I just see that face.’
The woman, who was able to get a picture of the man, added: ‘I would never forgive myself if this happened to someone else and I hadn’t said anything.’
Avon and Somerset Police previously confirmed they had received reports of a man jumping out at people in the Claverham area and that patrols were being stepped up to ensure public safety.
A spokesman said: ‘We’re aware of concerns relating to a man acting suspiciously in the Claverham/Yatton area.
‘While we’re keeping an open mind about the motive for these incidents, it’s clear the individual responsible is deliberately attempting to cause alarm to the men and women he’s approaching.
‘While no one has been hurt during the incidents, we fully appreciate the distress these actions have caused victims.’