Woman sexually assaulted on bus for 10 minutes in middle of the afternoon

A manhunt has been launched after a woman was sexually assaulted on a bus for 10 minutes in the middle of the afternoon.

Avon and Somerset Police are searching for the offender following the sex attack in Bristol on 16 September.

The incident took place on the number 76 bus near the centre of the city at around 4.45pm.

The victim was touched inappropriately for approximately 10 minutes by the man as he sat behind her until he got off the bus.

Officers investigating the crime have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

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Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police on 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 522121636.

According to the BBC, British Transport Police (BTP) received 421 reports of harassment on public transport between April and October 2021, up from 259 over the same period in 2019.

In 2013, the BTP launched the 61061 texting service – a way to anonymously report non-emergency incidents on trains and railways.

The aim was to find a way to support people who were being harassed who often do not want to make a phone call to discuss it while on public transport.

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In 2017, 70% of all offences reported on public transport were for sexual assaults on women.

The government has vowed to clamp down on sexual harassment as part of its strategy to tackle violence against women.

In July, a public campaign “focused on creating behavioural change” was revealed that aimed to challenge misogyny in society, as well as pledges to ensure police know how to effectively respond to allegations.