A 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection with two sexual assaults in Swindon.

Police are now appealing for any other women who may have been victims of similar assaults to come forward.

In the early hours of Saturday 8th December, 2007 a 45-year-old local woman got into a car she believed to be a taxi after socialising in Swindon that evening. The vehicle stopped outside her address and after she paid the fare the driver sexually assaulted her.

Shortly after midnight on Saturday 22nd March, 2008 a 25-year-old local woman got into a taxi after spending the evening in Swindon. When the vehicle arrived at her home address she was also subject to a sexual assault.

The 28-year-old local man was arrested in the early hours of Sunday 23rd March. He was taken to Gablecross Police Station where he was interviewed in connection with the offences and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Speaking about the arrest, Detective Constable James Newbery said: "I am pleased that we have been able to arrest a man in connection with these assaults. If there are any other women who think they may have been assaulted by this person and for whatever reason chose not to report it I would urge them to come forward now."

Crime Prevention Officer Bob Walton added: "Always book a taxi using a number in the telephone directory and when it arrives check that it is displaying a licence. Travel with another person if possible and ask the taxi driver to drop you off in a well-lit area and directly outside your house. Finally, ask the taxi driver to wait until you are safely inside your house before driving off. However, the bottom line is that if a taxi turns up and you do not feel safe do not get in it."

Detective Constable James Newbery can be contacted on 0845 408 7000 extension 760849.

3:50pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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