A CYCLING sex offender is riding around Colchester groping bottoms.

Police are investigating three reports of incidents in recent weeks but there may be more victims who have not come forward.

A spokesman for the force confirmed officers are "investigating the possibility the same person could be responsible".

Grabbing a bottom without consent amounts to sexual assault.

Shortly after 2pm on September 27 a woman was assaulted in Magdalen Street near the YMCA.

The woman, aged in her 30s, had her bottom grabbed by a slim man aged between 19 and 30.

At about 8pm on October 8 a woman, aged in her 40s, was walking along Old Heath Road when a cyclist groped her.

He was aged in his 20s and was wearing a khaki coloured hooded top and black jogging bottoms.

And on October 17 a cyclist grabbed hold of a teenage girl in Wimpole Road.

The incident took place at 2.50pm.

The teenager was groped between the Co-Op and the Methodist church.

The suspect had broad shoulders and was wearing a maroon hooded top.

This time the cyclist had a hood up covering his face.

Officers are keen to trace the man, or men responsible.

They would also like to hear from anyone else who may have been sexually assaulted by a cyclist grabbing their bottom and who may be able to provide information identifying the perpetrator.

Police launched the appeal this morning.

Anyone with information call Sgt Graham Taylor at Colchester police station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.