A MAN has been arrested and charged with offences of indecent assault following three incidents around a town centre in recent months.

The 21-year-old man from the Hilda Park area of Chester-le-Street was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of committing acts of sexual touching.

He has now been charged over three alleged incidents on women over a four-month period, between May and August this year.

All three of the attacks happened around the centre of Chester-le-Street, on the afternoons of Monday May 9, Wednesday July 27 and Saturday August 20.

In each case the victims were walking alone and were either carrying heavy shopping bags or pushing young children in buggies.

Each was believed to have been followed for a short distance before being assaulted.

Detective Inspector Nev Carman, who led the inquiry, said: "This was a terrifying experience for each of the victims, but it must be stressed that incidents of this nature are extremely rare.

"It is vital that such crimes are resolved at the earliest opportunity to maintain the confidence of the communities that we’re here to keep safe."

The charged man, who has not been named by police, is due to appear before North Durham magistrates at Consett, on Thursday November 17.