Four sex attacks in Manchester's Northern Quarter
Four women have been victims of sex attacks in Manchester's Northern Quarter in the past five months.
Detectives believe the four incidents may be linked and have urged women in the area to take care.
A woman was attacked early on 13 August in Tib Street and another was assaulted in Postal Street early on 12 November.
The third was attacked early on Christmas Eve in Fountain Street. The fourth victim was raped in an alley off Tib Street early on New Year's Day.
A man, 20, has been charged with rape in relation to the fourth attack.
Supt Vanessa Jardine, of Greater Manchester Police, said a team of 10 detectives were investigating the incidents.
She said: "We are conducting extensive CCTV, forensic and other inquiries, have linked in with local residents and businesses to reassure them and keep them updated about what is going on, have made numerous media appeals, have increased patrols in the area at relevant times and have briefed all our city centre staff about these incidents.
"I want to reassure people living in the Northern Quarter, or those planning on coming into the city, that the area remains a safe place to live or visit and your safety is a top priority for us.
"It is important that the public is aware of these incidents and women take some simple steps to maximise your safety, such as taking pre-booked taxis or sticking to well-light main roads.
"While we have charged one person in relation to an incident on New Year's Day there is an awful lot more work to be done and I would ask that anyone who thinks they might know who is responsible to contact us."