POLICE are investigating two separate incidents alleged to have taken place on a beach in St Ives.

Police have previously issued an appeal following an allegation of an assault believed to have taken place between the evening of Wednesday, September 18 and the early hours of Thursday, September 19 on Porthminster Beach.

The victim, a woman in her 30s, was assaulted within a tent which was on the beach.

During another earlier incident on August 23 a female was sexually assaulted whilst on the beach in the early hours of the morning.

That incident has been investigated from the outset, but since the more recent report they are now considering them as possibly linked.

Superintendent Adrian Leisk said: “We have received two separate allegations, both having taken place in the early hours of the morning.

The first on Friday, August 23, the second on Thursday, September 19 with both occurring on Porthminster Beach.

“In both incidents, the female victims were subjected to a serious assault.

“Clearly these two reports are very concerning and we continue to concentrate our efforts to identify the offender. Whilst these two attacks are similar in their nature, we are keeping an open mind that they may not in-fact be linked.

“On both occasions, the victims were alone when they were assaulted.

“Whilst these incidents are extremely rare in St Ives it is important that people remain vigilant. We ask that people look out for each other and to not walk alone in isolated areas; stay with friends during a night out and ensure journeys home are arranged.

“We have attended local schools to give safety advice and offer reassurance and we have arranged extra police patrols in the area.

“We are also appealing for witnesses and would like to hear from anyone who was in the area during the date of either attack and who saw or heard anything suspicious.”

A 32-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of assault and has been released on police bail until November 7.

Anyone with any information please contact Devon and Cornwall Police via 101 quoting crime reference CR/086612/19 or via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.