Shop staff track man suspected of sex attacks

They cornered him in an alley at the side of Marks & Spencer, between South Street and Trinity Street, after he allegedly indecently assaulted two women.

Police today praised shop staff and the radio link scheme but also appealed for the second woman assaulted to come forward.

The drama unfolded at 2pm on Wednesday when an 18-year-old woman was left badly shaken after she was indecently assaulted in South Street.

Staff in shops circulated the attacker's description until Blacks' assistant manager Richard Beal spotted him and followed him into Durngate Street. There, the man grabbed a second woman by her legs but she escaped and he walked back up to South Street and down the alley.

Mr Beal and five other shop staff - including security from Goulds - followed and stopped him with the Somerfield store detective coming the other way.

Mr Beal said: "I was looking out of the window and saw a man that fitted the description of the man on the radio link.

"I asked for someone to call the police and tagged behind him into Durngate Street.

"He grabbed a lady's legs and she managed to sidestep him. I was a bit shocked and I called for assistance on the radio link.

"I think people from Woolworths and Somerfield were among those who came to help and we apprehended him in the alleyway."

He added: "The radio link worked brilliantly.

"It was good teamwork on behalf of everyone, with people coming to help out."

Manager Melanie Barnes and staff at New Look raised the alarm after spotting the commotion in South Street.

Assistant Ashley Read said: "The radio link worked really well."

Sgt Malcolm Davenport, of Dorchester police, said: "This was another success for the radio link scheme. They used it to locate the man and track him until we arrived."

A 38-year-old man from Yeovil was arrested and is helping police with their enquiries.

The victim of the second indecent assault is urged to call Dorchester police on (01305) 251212.