A man has been arrested in connection with a serious sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl in Lisle Lane, Ely on December 18 last year.

The 53-year-old, from Sutton, has been arrested on suspicion of rape and bailed to return to Parkside Police Station, in Cambridge, on April 27, with conditions not to return to Ely.

Officers received reports on February 23 of a serious sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl in Lisle Lane, Ely on December 18 last year.

The incident happened at about 3.20pm when the offender, who is described as male, between 5’ 9” and six foot and wearing a long black coat, grabbed her from behind and sexually assaulted her.

On Monday (March 16) officers received a report of a suspicious incident in The Gallery, Ely, whereby a 17-year-old girl was followed by a man at about 8.15pm the same day.

The victim was walking when she noticed a man, about 5’7” wearing a long black overcoat and a brimmed black hat, following her. She started to walk faster, and so did the man. She then started to run and was chased by the man until he dropped his hat and stopped.

The girl managed to get to a nearby school and did not come into any physical contact with the man, however this did leave her feeling very scared.

Inspector Marcia Nichols, Safer Neighbourhood Manager for east Cambridgeshire, said: “Despite the arrest I would still urge members of the public to be cautious and report any information to police.

“Both of these incidents have been awful for the girls and we are doing all we can to identify the people responsible.

“Given the close proximity of where these incidents took place and the similarity in the descriptions given by the girls of the offenders, we are not ruling out that these incidents could be linked.

“High visibility foot patrols have been put in place in the city centre however I would urge members of the public to be cautious when alone in the area.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.