Every South Yorkshire location where flashers have struck prompting E-fit appeals since May 2022
and live on Freeview channel 276
South Yorkshire Police has shared details of the nine incidents listed below, after investigations were launched in a bid to catch the men responsible for committing alleged acts of outraging public decency.
In most cases, police have released E-fits as part of their investigation.
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Hide AdThe force has been approached for comment on whether anyone has been arrested, or charged, in connection with the below incidents, and if any of them are believed to be linked.
Incident numbers have been included, where possible.
Monday, June 26, 2023: Man carried out 'lewd act' near Rotherham park's paddling pool and smiled at shocked witness
The incident is alleged to have taken place near to the paddling pool at Clifton Park on Doncaster Road in Rotherham at around 7pm on Monday, June 26, 2023.
South Yorkshire Police (SYP) say the alleged incident is being treated as an offence of outraging public decency, and the force has released the below E-fit of a man they would like to identify.
A SYP spokesperson said: "A woman was travelling through Clifton Park when she saw a male near the paddling pool area committing a lewd act. It is reported that the man then looked at her, smiled and nodded his head.
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Hide Ad"The suspect is described as white, aged in his 50s and of medium build. It is believed he was wearing a dark blue cap and a dark blue T-shirt at the time.
"Do you know this man? Do you have any information about this incident?"
Anyone who can help is asked to pass information to police via their online live chat, online portal or by calling 101. Quote incident number 997 of June 26 when you get in touch.
You can access the force's online portal here: www.southyorks.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/
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Hide AdAlternatively, if you prefer not to give your personal details, you can stay anonymous and pass on what you know by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers. Call their UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111 or complete a simple and secure anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org
Wednesday, May 31, 2023: Man arrested after ‘indecent act’ in popular Sheffield beauty spot
Officers have produced this e-fit picture of a man who they want to identify as part of what they have described as an ‘ongoing investigation’ into the incident, which happened near the pitch and putt in Graves Park, near Meadowhead.
They said a 22-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident and released under investigation.
South Yorkshire Police said in a statement today: “On Wednesday May 31, at around 3.15pm, it is reported that a woman in her 20s was walking near to the golf pitch in Graves Park off Meadowhead Road, when she saw a man in woodland committing an indecent act.
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Hide Ad“The woman was not approached by the man, and made her way home where she reported the incident to police. The suspect is described as white, approximately 6ft tall, in his 30s, of broad build. He is believed to have closely shaved dark hair and some stubble, and was wearing blue jeans, black shoes and a hooded jacket with a white pattern on.”
Graves Park is one of Sheffield’s best known beauty spots, one of the largest parks in the country. The pitch and putt course, which is no longer manned by the council, is near the tennis courts.
Officers have now appealed for information and have said that if anyone has any information that could help with the investigation, they should contact the force using live chat, their online portal or by calling 101 quoting incident number 531 of 31 May 2023. You can access the live chat and the online portal by logging on to https://smartcontact.southyorkshire.police.uk/
Tuesday, May 23, 2023: Man committed sexual act after luring woman to his car on Sheffield road
The incident is alleged to have taken place at around 2.15pm on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, when it is reported that a woman was walking along Dyke Vale Road, between the Hackenthorpe and Frecheville areas of the city, when a yellow car pulled alongside her.
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Hide AdOn Thursday, July 6, 2023, South Yorkshire Police released the below E-fit of a man they would like to identify, as an investigation into the incident continues.
A SYP spokesperson said: "The man driving the car is understood to have initiated conversation with the woman and when she walked over to the vehicle, he began to commit a sexual act.
"He drove away at speed in the yellow car when the woman said she was calling the police. While she was not injured, the woman was left shaken by the incident and has worked with investigating officers to compile this E-fit.
"Do you recognise this person? Do you know who the man in the yellow car is?"
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Hide AdAnyone with information is asked to contact SYP online, via webchat or by calling 101 quoting incident number 960 of May 23, 2023.
Monday, May 1, 2023: Rotherham flasher ‘dropped trousers and followed woman through playground’
A flasher dropped his trousers and followed a woman around a popular South Yorkshire playground, performing a ‘lewd’ act, police have been told.
The man had been hiding in trees late at night, before he approached a woman while she was sitting on one of the swings in the playground, officers who are investigating the incident have been told.
South Yorkshire Police said in a statement: “On Monday May 1, 2023 at around 10.30pm, it is reported that a man, who had been hidden in trees, approached a woman as she sat on swings in the playground off Station Road in Wath, Rotherham.
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Hide Ad“The man is then reported to have pulled his trousers down, exposing himself to the woman, before committing a lewd act. He then followed the victim as she walked away, until she left the playground.”
The witness has helped to produce the above e-fit image of a suspect police say they are keen to identify.
He is described as white, around 5ft 10ins tall, and aged around 22 to 25. He was wearing a green Nike hoody with the hood up, black Nike joggers and black shoes.Police want to hear from anyone with information, through their live chat, their online portal or by calling 101 quoting incident number 1,020 of May 2, 2023.
Police have released the below E-fit depicting a man they are looking to identify after a woman was confronted by a flasher who said: “I’m behind you. I’m coming for you.”
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Hide AdThe incident reportedly took place in Fenton Woods, Rotherham, at around 4.50pm on February 21, 2023.
Launching a public appeal today, South Yorkshire Police said: “A woman was walking in Fenton Woods, heading away from Munsbrough Lane/ Bassingthorpe Lane when a man approached her. The woman walked away before the man is said to have shouted: ‘I’m behind you. I’m coming for you’.
“He then exposed himself while continuing to shout at her. The woman then reported the incident and the suspect left the area. Our officers have since worked with her to produce an E-fit of the man involved.”
You can pass information to police through their online portal here: https://www.southyorks.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/ or by calling 101, quoting incident number 738 of February 21, 2023.
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Hide AdJanuary 8, 2023 and February 6, 2023: Reports of man exposing himself in Thorpe Hesley and Scholes
Police launched investigations into exposure incidents which were both allegedly carried out on Upper Wortley Road, Rotherham in January and February 2023.
At around 4pm on Sunday January 8, officers were called to Upper Wortley Road following reports that a man was seen exposing himself. It was reported that the man, dressed in dark clothing and wearing a hat, was hiding in bushes near to the road. Then on Monday February 6, at around 8.35pm, they received a further call from a resident on Upper Wortley Road reporting a man exposing himself and committing a ‘lewd act’. When he was spotted, it is understood that he fled.
In February 2023, police issued this E-fit picture of a suspect they now keen to identify.
Anyone with information is asked to get in touch using the South Yorkshire Police live chat, their online portal or by calling 101 quoting incident number 702 of January 8, 2023. If you live locally and you believe you might have CCTV or video doorbell footage of this individual, you can email it to [email protected] and quote the same incident number in the email subject line. .
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Hide AdAlternatively, you can stay anonymous and pass on what you know by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers. Call their UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111 or complete an anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
August - October 2022:
A series of incidents were reported in the Thorpe Hesley and Scholes areas of Rotherham, near Sheffield, between August and October last year, with women contacting officers to say a lone man was seen exposing himself and committing a ‘lewd’ act.
Investigations officer Juliet Cooper said: “The women who have reported this individual to us all say they were in somewhat secluded areas, near woodland or on country lanes, in and around Thorpe Hesley and Scholes village. The incidents that have been reported to us happened in the afternoon, with a rough timescale across the incidents of between 1.30-4pm.
“The description of the suspect is a white man, of medium build, and the victims all unanimously reported that the individual had ginger hair, which is quite distinctive.
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Hide Ad“We believe we are looking for one suspect as the behaviour is the same in all incidents – the women are confronted by an individual exposing himself and committing an indecent act. He then runs off when they shout or go to phone or call for help.”
Anyone with information that could help identify the man, or who has experienced a similar incident, is asked to contact police through their live webchat, online portal on www.southyorks.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/ or by ringing 101 quoting incident number 30 of October 18, 2022.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to give information anonymously, you can speak with independent charity Crimestoppers via their website – www.crimestoppers-uk.org – or by calling their UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111.
Sunday, May 8, 2022: Flasher performed sex act in Sheffield street
The man exposed himself to a passing woman on Wolseley Road, Sharrow, on Sunday, May 8, 2022.
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Hide AdSouth Yorkshire Police said a woman was walking to work at 8.25am when the flasher struck.
The force said: “As she approached the junction with London Road, the man exposed himself, started performing a sex act and began taunting her.
“This E-fit has been created and officers are keen to hear from anyone who recognises who the man may be.”
The man is Asian, in his mid – late forties, of a large build and had dark, greasy hair.
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Hide AdHe was wearing a dark T-shirt and trousers and carried a plastic bag.
Witnesses or anyone with information should call South Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote incident number 276 of May 8.
Crimestoppers can also be contacted on 0800 555111.