Fear grips seaside town

Police have issued an e-fit of a man they would like to question

Women in Weston-super-Mare have spoken of their fear about a sex attacker who has struck five times in eight days.

One of the victims of the serial attacker has branded him "a coward who ruins lives".

Donna Hamilton, from the Bournville Estate, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "This is affecting us in lots of ways.

"People who have to walk to work, like myself, are looking behind them all the time, hoping he's not there for you.

"No one wants to go out. It's not safe. Everyone is affected."

Shop worker Pat Holmes added: "We just want him off the streets. We have had enough. It has always been a close community here... and we don't want it.

"This man is very sick and needs help."

Timeline of attacks 14 September: 17-year-old attacked on Summerlands Road, Earlham Grove 15 September: 42-year-old woman assaulted in Grasmere Drive 17 September: 17-year-old woman attacked near Grasmere Drive 18 September: 18-year-old girl assaulted, again near Grasmere Drive 21 September: 17-year-old girl attacked in Earlham Grove

A police investigation into the attacks is continuing - officers say they are eliminating names from the 100 people suggested for the attacker after an e-fit image was released earlier this week.

Darren Bane from Avon and Somerset police, told the BBC: "This is a very dangerous man and we are endeavouring to do everything we can to catch him and prevent further attacks.

"We are satisfied it is the same man responsible for the five attacks and have set up a mobile police station and have handed out more than 2,500 rape alarms.

Pierced eyebrow

"We understand there are a lot of nervous people out there, he added.

"But we believe someone out there knows who there is. There is a distinctive description and there are posters up everywhere. His face is well known."

Police have issued safety guidelines for women in the seaside resort, reminding them not to walk alone along the town's lanes and alleyways.

The attacker is described as a white man in his early 20s, 6ft tall and of slim build, with blonde or bleached hair, a pointed nose and a pierced or shaved eyebrow.