A woman in Bury St Edmunds has reported being approached by a man who made a “lewd suggestion” to her.

Police in Bury St Edmunds are appealing for witnesses after the incident, which occurred between 3pm and 3.15pm on Friday, April 25 in and around St Johns Street.

The victim, a woman in her early twenties, was sheltering from the rain in the archway on Sergeants Walk when she was approached by a man who tried to engage her in conversation.

Feeling uncomfortable around this man, the victim excused herself and began to walk down St Johns Street towards Station Hill, but the offender followed her asking her numerous questions about her work and personal life.

As they approached the entrance to Ipswich Court the man then asked the woman if she would perform a sex act on him for £50, at which point the victim told him to leave her alone.

The suspect then walked into Ipswich Court, but when the victim looked back to see where he was he had turned round and was heading back towards St John Street.

On reviewing CCTV evidence, the man was seen to approach four other women between 2.30pm and 3.30pm on the same day and Police are appealing to these women to come forward to assist with their enquiries. Unfortunately the CCTV does not provide a clear image of the suspect’s face.

The man is described as white, with brown/ginger hair and a ginger beard, a piercing on his face (either on the lip or the nose). He was wearing a fluorescent yellow jacket with a dark hood, jeans, trainers and was carrying a rucksack. He spoke with a Suffolk accent.

Anyone with information about this incident, or who believes they may also have been approached by this man, is asked to contact Pc Samantha Ostley at Bury St Edmunds Police Station on 101 quoting reference BU/14/1128, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.