Harrogate police step up patrols after two incidents of man exposing himself

The first incident took place on Wednesday June 15 in front of a mother and her child as they were cycling along the Bilton to Ripley cycle path in Harrogate, at about 7.10pm.

The woman shouted at him and he ran away.

Yesterday a man exposed himself to a different woman on Nidderdale Greenway, a remote part of Nidd Gorge, near Scotton, Knaresborough, at about 4pm.

She shouted at him and he walked off.

Police believe the two incidents are linked, based on the descriptions provided by the victims.

Inspector Penny Taylor, of Harrogate Police, said: “These are both very disturbing incidents, which are totally unacceptable. We are treating them extremely seriously, and are increasing patrols in the area. Please be reassured that we are doing everything we can to find this man.

“I would like to appeal for any witnesses, or anyone with information that would help us to identify the man responsible. I am also asking for anyone to come forward if they have been a victim of a similar incident and not yet reported it to the police.”

To provide information about the incident on June 15, please dial 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Kelvin Troughton, quoting reference number 12160105286. For the June 23 incident, please ask for PC Simon Davis, quoting reference number 12160110561.