Police hunting a man who has carried out a string of attacks on lone women in Hampshire have made an arrest.

A 30-year-old from Waterlooville has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent.

The first assault took place at around 10.40pm on June 20 when a 20-year-old woman was walking along Southampton Road, opposite a block of flats on Ashurst Road, in Portsmouth.

She was approached from behind and assaulted.

She received a chest injury, which was serious but not life-threatening.

In the second incident, a 45-year-old woman was approached by a man along the shoreline of Ports Creek in Hilsea (to the east of the footbridge which crossed from Peronne Road to the Highbury estate).

The man carried out an assault, resulting in the woman sustaining a stab wound to her chest. The man ran off towards Hilsea Lines.

Police were called to the third incident shortly after 1pm yesterday to a report of an assault by a man on a woman who was walking in an alleyway between Colwell Road and Northern Road in Cosham.

The woman was treated in hospital for her injuries.

Increased police patrols will continue over the weekend to provide reassurance to the community.

Police will be continuing with their enquiries overnight and continue to appeal for witnesses to any of the incidents to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hampshire Major Investigation Team (HMIT) at Fratton Fratton Police Station on 101 quoting Op Bedham, or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.