Police defend sex attacks silence

A Manchester MP has joined in criticism of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) for not telling the public earlier about a serial sex attacker on the loose.

Tony Lloyd, MP for Manchester Central, was speaking after the force said 14 sex attacks in east Manchester, Tameside and Stockport were linked.

GMP told the public on Monday, while the first attack happened in July.

The force said it was aware of public concern and was putting in place measures to reassure the community.

On Tuesday, John Stalker, the former deputy chief constable of GMP, criticised the force, saying up to nine attacks could have been prevented if they had gone public earlier.

WHERE THE ATTACKER HAS STRUCK Abbey Hey Lane, Openshaw Western Street, Abbey Hey Louisa Street, Openshaw Edge Lane, Droylsden Windsor Road, Droylsden Rock Street, Openshaw Yellow Brick Road, Openshaw Sunnyside Road, Droylsden Cemetery Road, Droylsden Ryder Brow Road, Gorton Longford Road West, North Reddish Foxley Close, Droylsden Nelstropp Road North, Heaton Chapel Debdale Park, Gorton

He said if the public were told after the man used a knife during his attacks for the first time, subsequent attacks may have been avoided.

Mr Lloyd said: "I think the chief constable and GMP have got to make it very plain to us all why this wasn't done.

"I think it's an error of judgement and some of the victims may be asking themselves could they have saved themselves from this attack if they had known?

"That's a very serious thing we've got to address.

'Complex inquiries'

"I do think in this case the public have an entitlement both to know and actually now why they weren't allowed to know."

But GMP defended itself saying, in a statement:: "These crimes are being actively pursued and we have a number of leads we are following up.

"These include intelligence information and witness evidence.

"Unfortunately, these inquiries are extremely complex and a great deal of work has to be done behind the scenes to deal with all the issues involved.

"Some of our information has direct implications for the success of the operation and at this time it would not be appropriate for us to discuss these details in public."

'Reassure the community'

The statement added: "We are aware of the concerns of the community and are taking these extremely seriously.

"We have already put measures in place to inform and reassure the local community, including high profile patrols."

The force said personal safety information had also been given to women living in the areas were the attacker had struck.

Local councillors had been told and officers attended the Gorton Carnival in order to offer further advice, while free personal attack alarms had also been issued to women.