hunt for pervert who has struck 14 times in layton/blackpool Sexual Abuser

November 2012 Catalogue of attacks and new CCTV picture THE full scale of a pervert’s sickening sex attack spree has been revealed.

Police have released the details of every one of the incidents they believe the Layton sex attacker is responsible for – along with a fresh picture they hope will lead the public to identify him.

Officers hunting the man have urged local residents to “search their conscience” and give police the information they desperately need.

It has been revealed 14 attacks are being investigated by police, with the majority taking place in and around Layton Cemetery and nearby Kingscote Park since November 15 last year.

THE EIGHT ATTACKS WHICH TOOK PLACE OUTSIDE OF LAYTON CEMETERY: Tuesday November 15 2011 – Grange Road, Layton Friday March 9 – Kingscote Park, Layton Friday March 9 – Kingscote Park, Layton Friday March 9 – Kingscote Park, Layton Friday March 9 – Layton Road at junction with Caunce Street Saturday June 30 – Kingscote Park, fled down Blairway Avenue Saturday August 11 – Kingscote Park, Layton Tuesday August 14 – Kingscote Park, Layton The new image shows the attacker, who has targeted schoolchildren, wearing a distinctive coat.

Det Insp Tony Baxter, head of Blackpool’s public protection unit, said: “There are a number of occasions where he has exposed himself to children and a number where he has physically attacked them.

I would urge the public to search their conscience – is there anyone in your family, a relative or a friend who, when you look at that picture with that coat, you think it might be them.

“Have you had concerns about someone’s behaviour or do you know anything that might help us?” The first incident took place on Grange Road, Layton, on November 15 last year, when a man was seen exposing himself.

Since then there have been numerous incidents of a man exposing himself to schoolgirls, including on four occasions on March 9 in and around Kingscote Park, on three occasions in Layton Cemetery in June, in Kingscote Park on June 30 and again in Layton Cemetery on July 13.

A week later a 13-year-old girl was grabbed as she walked through the cemetery.

And on August 11 a 15-year-old girl was dragged into the bushes in Kingscote Park.

Both girls escaped but the attacker struck again on Tuesday, August 14, exposing himself in Kingscote Park, before two 11-year-olds were flashed on November 7.

A man arrested on Friday has been released on police bail until December 17.

November 2012 Hunt for pervert who has struck 14 times CHILDREN and parents were today warned to be on their guard after it emerged detectives are investigating at least 14 sex attacks in the same area of Blackpool.

Disturbingly, most of the serial attacker’s victims have been youngsters – targeted in Layton on their way to and from the area’s schools.

Detectives have released an EvoFit and CCTV image of the man they believe is behind the sickening attacks in the hope someone will reveal the pervert’s identity.

Hedges at Layton Cemetery have also been cut back by Blackpool Council at the request of police in a bid to deter the attacker, who was still at large today.

Det Insp Tony Baxter, head of Blackpool’s public protection unit, said: “There have been upwards of 14 offences since March in the same area.

“The vast majority of them targeted children of school age.

“Somebody out there must know who this man is.

They must recognise him and it’s really important they come forward and we catch this man.

“He clearly poses a risk to the public and he is upsetting the public.

We need to catch him before he goes on to do something more serious.” Barbara Lund, headteacher at Unity College Blackpool, on Warbreck Hill Road, North Shore, said: “It is worrying.

We will certainly work through form tutors and assemblies to remind young people about their own personal safety particularly in that area on the dark evenings.” Police issued the EvoFit of the suspected attacker after two schoolgirls were attacked in the summer.

A 13-year-old was pushed to the ground after being grabbed by a man on Talbot Road in July, but managed to flee after kneeing her attacker in the stomach.

In a similar incident on August 11, a 15-year-old was dragged into the bushes in Kingscote Park, but also managed to escape.

Now, a CCTV picture (left) has been released after two 11-year-old pupils were flashed on November 7 in Layton Cemetery, where the majority of attacks have taken place.

Det Insp Baxter confirmed there had been a number of arrests since the attacks – which have ranged from flashings to indecent assaults – began in March, however no charges have yet been brought.

He said: “We can’t rule out the fact the incidents could be committed by more than one person, but we are clearly working on the principle they could be linked.” Residents in Layton today spoke of their shock at the string of attacks.

Mum Paula McIvany lives near Kingscote Park – where a girl was attacked in August – and said: “I use Kingscote Park a lot and it does alarm me, it’s horrible.” George Jones, 76, who lives in a flat close to the cemetery’s Mansfield Road exit, where the latest incident happened, said: “I’m concerned.

I would not let children walk through there at the moment and if it’s dark you can’t let them out.

Everyone round here is talking about it and is worried.” And Cath Hurley, treasurer of Layton Traders’ Association, added: “Everyone is worried and they really need to catch him.

“If I had young children I would not be happy about letting them out.”