POLICE have been granted more time to question a man who was arrested after a series of sex attacks in Southampton.

Police arrested a 25-year-old man from the city following the release of CCTV images and have until 11pm today, to question him.

Detectives  are “tentatively” linking 12 reports of sexual assaults together that started around January 18 and have escalated over the past few days.

Due to the assaults police have increased their patrols in the areas they took place, although police declined to say where exactly the sexual assaults took place.

All they have said is that they have happened in the Millbrook, Lordshill and city centre areas.

The women targeted were aged between 12 and 43 and were reportedly sexually assaulted through their clothes by a man on a bike.

None of them were injured however they were all left shocked.

The man is believed to cycle alongside lone females who are on foot and then touch them briefly as he cycles past.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Hampshire Contabulary, said: "We can confirm that we have arrested a 25-year-old man from Southampton this afternoon in connection with a series of indecent assaults on women and girls in the Southampton area. 

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who shared our appeal. 

"We want to reassure the public that local Neighbourhood Policing Teams in Southampton are continuing with high-visibility patrols and we urge anyone who has any further information to assist us with this investigation to get in contact with us on 101 quoting 44160042313. "