AN 11-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman and teenage girl were indecently assaulted, and three other women were approached by a person with a knife.

Avon and Somerset Police said the five incidents happened in the Redcliff and Montpelier areas of Bristol between March 20-25.

Officers attended each incident, but the offender had already left the area by the time they arrived.

In separate incidents between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on March 20, three women were approached by a man with a knife who then ran away.

Two days later, a man approached a woman just before 9.30pm.

He claimed to have a knife and indecently assaulted the woman over her clothing before attempting to take her phone.

On March 25, a man indecently assaulted a 14-year-old girl at about 4.30pm.

Detectives are treating the incidents as potentially linked due to the locations where they took place and some similarities in the descriptions of the offender.

The force said an 11-year-old boy has now been arrested in connection with the incidents.

Acting Chief Inspector Tom Gent, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: “We continue to carry out inquiries into each of these incidents and remain open minded as to whether they are linked.

“The individual we have arrested is a child and we have interviewed him alongside an appropriate adult to see if he has any information about the incidents which could help our investigation.

“We are also engaging with our statutory partners as part of our safeguarding responsibilities.

“The nature of the offences is concerning and officers continue to target their patrols to provide reassurance and to act as a deterrent.”

The boy was taken into custody on April 1 before being released on bail with conditions to stay at home between 7pm and 7am.

His arrest followed a public appeal for witnesses to the incidents, and any footage that could help officers in their investigation, on March 26.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the force on 101, giving the call handler the reference number 5224072591.