A man has been arrested after two women were sexually attacked just hours apart in Rochdale.
The suspect, said to be in his 20s, was held this morning on suspicion of attempted rape, with police treating the incidents as connected.
The first victim reported being assaulted by a stranger in Broadfield Park at about 6:15am. Less than two hours later, another woman said she was attacked by a man she didn’t know in Milnrow Memorial Park, prompting a major police response
In a previous statement, police confirmed that both women had given officers ‘similar’ descriptions of the attack, adding that they were on the lookout for a “black male believed to have been wearing a three-piece suit or smart black clothes and a dark coat”, the M.E.N reports.
View 2 ImagesBroadfield Park in Rochdale where the first of the two ‘linked’ incidents happened
The man was also carrying a briefcase, according to the victims’ accounts, which was noted in the police’s ‘robust investigation’ that combed through CCTV footage. This showed a suspect leaving the Coco Lounge in Rochdale town centre at 5am.
On Saturday evening (July 25), Greater Manchester Police said that a man in his 20s had now been arrested on suspicion of two counts of attempted rape.
“The man remains in custody for questioning as enquiries continue” the force said in a statement. “The victims are being supported by specialist officers in this difficult and traumatic time”, the force added. They are continuing to appeal for anyone with information that could help detectives to come forward.
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Anyone with information is being urged to contact GMP on 101 quoting incident number 79 and 880 of 25/07/2026, or using the LiveChat service on the force website. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111..
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