Man Arrested After Attempted Sexual Assault On West Cumbrian Bus
A man has been arrested following an alleged assault on passengers aboard a bus at Workington Bus Station.
The incident happened at around 2.30pm on September 21 at Workington Bus Station on Murray Road. Police received a report after a man was alleged to have assaulted two men by punching them, leaving both victims with minor injuries. Officers also received an allegation that the same man attempted to touch a woman over her clothing during the incident. The circumstances are now being investigated and a man has been taken into police custody.
The suspect is a 31 year old British man from Maryport. He was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and two offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Police said he remains in custody while officers carry out questioning and continue their investigation into what happened at the bus station.
The alleged incident took place in a public transport setting, where passengers and members of the public were present. Workington Bus Station is an important transport point for people travelling around West Cumbria, meaning incidents in the area can affect a wide range of passengers and members of the public. The investigation will establish the circumstances surrounding the reported assaults.
Police said the two men who were allegedly punched suffered minor injuries. No further details about the nature of those injuries have been released. Officers have also not provided further information about the woman involved, and no details identifying any of the alleged victims have been made public.
The allegation involving the woman concerns an attempted sexual assault, with police stating that the man was alleged to have attempted to touch her over her clothing. As the investigation remains ongoing and the suspect has not been charged, the allegation remains an allegation. Police will continue to establish the circumstances and gather any available evidence as part of the investigation.
The arrest means officers now have an opportunity to question the suspect about the reported incidents. Investigators may also be seeking information from people who were at the bus station or travelling on the bus at the time. Witness accounts can be important in establishing what happened, particularly when an incident takes place in a public environment where several people may have been present.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could assist the investigation is being asked to contact Cumbria Police. Information can be submitted through the force's online reporting service, while people can also call 101. When contacting police, members of the public should quote incident number 141 of September 21.
The incident number will allow information to be linked directly to the investigation and can help officers identify relevant reports or evidence. Members of the public who believe they may have information should provide whatever details they can remember, including the location, approximate time and circumstances they observed. Even information that appears minor could potentially assist investigators in building a clearer picture.
The reported incident took place during the afternoon, meaning the bus station and surrounding area could have been in use by passengers and other members of the public. Police are likely to be interested in identifying anyone who may have witnessed the alleged assaults or who may have information about the events before or after the reported incident.
The investigation covers allegations involving three separate people, with two men reportedly assaulted by punching and a woman allegedly subjected to an attempted sexual assault. Police have not indicated that the incidents were unrelated, and the arrest concerns suspicion of all three offences. Further details may emerge as officers continue their enquiries.
The man remains in custody for questioning at this stage. Being arrested on suspicion of an offence does not mean that a person has been charged or found guilty. The police investigation will determine whether there is sufficient evidence for any charges to be brought and what further action may be appropriate.
Public transport locations can present particular challenges for investigators because witnesses may leave the area shortly after an incident. Anyone who was present at Workington Bus Station or travelling on the relevant bus around the time of the reported incident is therefore being encouraged to consider whether they have information that could help police.
Members of the public can report information directly to Cumbria Police online or by calling 101. Those contacting the force should quote incident number 141 of September 21 so that their information can be directed to the correct investigation team. Police have not released further details about the identities of the alleged victims while enquiries continue.
The investigation remains ongoing following the arrest of the Maryport man. Officers will continue to establish the circumstances of the reported assaults and the allegation involving the woman, while the suspect remains in custody for questioning.
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