POLICE are urging members of the public to be extra vigilant following a recent spate of sex crimes in the borough.

The last few weeks have seen an increase in the media attention given to sexual and indecent assaults on both men and women across the Ealing borough.

DI Charles Hailstone of the Metropolitan Police's Sapphire Unit, recently set up to deal with sex offences, said: "People should always be vigilant about going out on their own or coming home from clubs as everyone is vulnerable to attacks.

"The fact that there are any sexual offences being committed is a concern and any and every offence is taken seriously by both the police and the victim."

Ealing's Sapphire Unit was set up in February this year as part of a London-wide initiative by the Metropolitan Police to work more exclusively with victims of sexual offences and to investigate attackers. As a result the arrest rate of alleged sexual offenders has improved.

"An awful lot of offences are reported but are usually between parties that are known to each other. It's the stranger, predator type of attacker which gives us greater concern," added DI Hailstone.

"However we would welcome any information on any offence committed. We are aware of the situation surrounding the sensitivity of such crimes but people can still give us information without having to go to court. Any information can still help as the members of the public are our eyes and our ears."

The police are particularly appealing to children not to talk to strangers and to report anything untoward to a parent or officer.

This warning comes after a boy was approached in Walpole Park, Ealing, on Sunday by a man who asked him to touch him.

He then tried to entice the boy into public toilets but he refused and rode home to tell his mum. The man is described as white, aged about 45 years, 6ft tall, thin build with grey curly hair. He was wearing a beige leather jacket, light blue jeans and a blue and white striped t-shirt with a zip.

In another unrelated attack another boy was indecently assaulted on the tow path by the Grand Union Canal in Perivale. The victim was befriended by his attacker before being assaulted and police are still appealing for witnesses.

Meanwhile in a separate matter a 41-year-old man from the Southall area was arrested and charged with attempted rape and two matters of indecency after allegations of an attack on a teenage girl near Dormers Wells Leisure Centre last week.

Any witnesses to any of the attacks or any information can be given to the Sapphire Unit on 020 8246 1178 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

July 11, 2002 10:00