POLICE have taken the unprecedented step of releasing stacks of CCTV images in a bid to catch a sex attacker.
Officers in the town have taken the unusual move of making a public appeal for 22 men they want to talk to after a woman was sexually assaulted in Penzance Drive last month.
They want them to come forward in order for officers to identify potential witnesses and for the men to eliminate themselves from the inquiry.
The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday, July 17, when two women, who had been on a night out at the Casbah nightclub, were picked up in Faringdon Road by a man driving a silver-coloured car.
At about 4.30am, the man dropped the first woman off near the town centre, and drove the second woman to Penzance Drive, near the Weighbridge Brewery, where he sexually assaulted her.
Detective Chief Inspector Owen Gillard, the investigating officer, said: “This is an extremely serious offence and unfortunately we have few details about the suspect at this time.
“I have therefore taken the unusual step of releasing this large number of CCTV images and am urging the men pictured to contact police immediately so that my team can identify potential witnesses and they can eliminate themselves from the investigation.
“I would also like to speak to anyone who saw the group of people described in the early hours of Sunday, July 17, or anyone who has any other relevant information in relation to this incident.
“You can be reassured that any information we receive will be treated in the strictest of confidence.”
Unfortunately, there are few details about the suspect at this time, other than the fact that he was a black man, aged about 30 and was driving a silver-coloured car.
It is believed that he was in the Casbah at the same time as the two women.
The first woman was white, 46 years old, with blonde hair that was tied up. She was wearing a black top, shorts and a bright red jacket.
The victim was white, 31 years old, with shoulder length dark hair. She was wearing a white blouse, jeans and a dark blue jacket.
If you are one of the men pictured, or have any information on the incident, you should contact Swindon CID on 0845 408 7000. You can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously if preferred.
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