Harvey Symes, 23, has been charged with two counts of attempted rape and making threats to kill after two women were allegedly assaulted in separate incidents in Rochdale parks on Saturday. Greater Manchester Police confirmed they received reports from both victims on Saturday morning, approximately 90 minutes apart.
The first report came at 6:15 a.m. regarding an assault in Broadfield Park. The second report was received at 8:38 a.m. from a different woman alleging an assault in Milnrow Memorial Park. Police stated that both women reported not knowing their attacker and provided similar descriptions of the suspect.
Symes, identified as a black British national from Milnrow, is scheduled to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on Monday. Detectives reportedly identified CCTV footage of a man matching the suspect's description leaving a venue in Rochdale around 5 a.m.
Following the reports, Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Willis announced an increased police presence in Broadfield Park, Milnrow Memorial Park, and Rochdale town center. MILNROW MEMORIAL PARK Broadfield Park and Milnrow Memorial Park are situated more than three miles apart.