An arrest has been made by officers investigating a serious sexual assault at a nature reserve in Bradley Stoke, which is now being linked to two other recent offences in the same area.
The initial incident happened in the Three Brooks Nature Reserve on the evening of Thursday 4th August 2022, in which a woman was seriously sexually assaulted by a man while out walking. Local sources said this incident happened in Savages Wood (the area of woodland behind Bradley Stoke Leisure centre).
Police say they are now linking this offence to an incident in which a woman was sexually assaulted by being touched inappropriately while in the nature reserve, sometime between 3.10pm and 5.10pm on Tuesday 23rd August, as well as a further incident in Savages Wood in which a woman in her forties was pushed over by a man and sexually assaulted. This incident happened sometime between 5.30pm and just before 6pm on Thursday 1st September.
Yesterday evening (Tuesday 6th September), a 36-year-old man was arrested in connection with the three offences, and he remains in police custody.
Inspector Jon Nash, of the Neighbourhood Policing team, said:
“We know this development in the investigation will be of concern to the local community and we have increased our reassurance patrols of the area in response. We’d encourage any local residents with worries or concerns to speak to the local Neighbourhood Policing team, or any officer on patrol in the area.”
“The investigation is being led by Operation Bluestone, our specialist team of officers and staff dedicated to investigating rape and serious sexual assault offences.”
“We’ve updated the victims about the developments in this investigation and we’ll be keeping them fully updated as we progress our enquiries further. They will be offered access to any help or support they may need.”
“We’re continuing to appeal to the public and local community to continue providing information to us and, as well as the additional patrols, officers will be carrying out further house-to-house enquiries in the Bradley Stoke area.”
“We’d appeal to residents to come forward if they have any information which could assist our ongoing investigation, as well as any relevant CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage, in and around the timeframes of the offences listed above.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222189662. If you don’t want to speak to the police, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask for your name or trace your call.
A social media post made yesterday evening (6th September) by the South Gloucestershire Neighbourhood team showed a female police community support office (PCSO) on patrol in the nature reserve near Campion Drive. The post reads:
“Neighbourhood officers have been carrying out high visibility patrols in the Three Brooks Nature Reserve, Bradley Stoke. We’d love to speak to the community & local residents, so please stop us for a chat!”
Neighbourhood officers have been carrying out high visibility patrols in the Three Brooks Nature Reserve, Bradley Stoke.
We'd love to speak to the community & local residents, so please stop us for a chat! 👮♂️👋 pic.twitter.com/KDs622KTiD
— ASPolice South Gloucestershire (@ASPSouthGlos) September 6, 2022
In mid-August, following the first incident, there were reported sightings of a Bradley Stoke beat team PCSO patrolling on an e-bike in the nature reserve and another PCSO patrolling on foot along the woodland path parallel to Orpheus Avenue.
Related link: Interactive map of the Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve (Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group)
Man released on bail
UPDATE added 8th September 2022.
Avon and Somerset Police (A&SP) tweeted on Thursday 8th September 2022:
“High visibility patrols continue at a nature reserve in Bradley Stoke as specialist detectives investigate three recent sexual offences.”
“The man arrested on Tuesday has been released on bail with strict conditions not to enter the area.”
Inspector Jon Nash, of the Neighbourhood Policing team, said:
“A man has been arrested and released on bail and I’d like to reassure people we have imposed strict conditions on him not to enter the area while he remains under suspicion. Should he be seen in the area by any of our officers he will immediately be arrested again.”
Full update from A&SP: High visibility patrols continue at nature reserve as inquiry into incidents progresses
School’s advice to students
UPDATE added 9th September 2022.
From a letter issued today (Friday 9th September 2022) by Bradley Stoke Community School headteacher Pete Lynch:
“We have been made aware of several incidents/assaults that have taken place in or around the Savages Wood area over recent weeks. Unfortunately, we have not been given any guidance yet from the police and are awaiting this. In the short term, we are advising that students walk to and from school in pairs or groups for their own safety. Alternatively, if this isn’t possible, we suggest they stay out of the woods and use well-lit designated footpaths. As soon as we have any further information, we will share it.”
Second arrest
UPDATE added 10th September 2022.
Statement issued by Avon and Somerset Police on Saturday 10th September 2022:
A second arrest has been made by officers investigating sexual offences committed at a nature reserve in Bradley Stoke.
A 36-year-old man was arrested at around 1pm yesterday (Friday 9th September) in connection with the offences which occurred at the Three Brooks Nature Reserve.
The man remains in police custody and will be questioned by officers.
Another 36-year-old man who was arrested last week in connection with this investigation remains on police bail with conditions not to enter the nature reserve.
Two further incidents
UPDATE added 13th September 2022.
Avon and Somerset Police have revealed that they are investigating two further alleged incidents of sexual assault that occurred in Bradley Stoke in July 2022 – one on Friday 15th July “outside an address in Bradley Stoke … not in the immediate vicinity of the nature reserve” and another, on Tuesday 19th July, “in Bradley Stoke Way”.
Revised post about the Friday 15th July incident: Police issue correction to news release on Bradley Stoke sexual assault
No further details have been released about the Tuesday 19th July incident.
Summary of incidents
Based on information released by the police, this brings the total number of recent sexual assaults within Bradley Stoke that are currently under investigation to five:
- Friday 15th July – “outside an address in Bradley Stoke”
- Tuesday 19th July – “in Bradley Stoke Way”
- Thursday 4th August – “in Savages Wood”
- Tuesday 23rd August – “in nature reserve”
- Thursday 1st September – “in Savages Wood”
One person has been charged – in relation to the Friday 15th July incident.
Information correct as of 14th September 2022.
