Police hunting man 'wearing three piece suit and carrying briefcase' after 'linked' sex attacks in Rochdale parks

Two women have been attacked in Rochdale parks in separate serious sexual assaults which police believed are linked. Police were alerted to the first incident, said to have happened at Broadfield Park, in the town centre, at 6:15am this morning (Saturday, July 25). A woman said she was sexually assaulted by a man she didn't know. Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter Officers then received a report of a second attack, in Milnrow Memorial Park, at 8:38am. Again, a woman was said she was attacked by a man who was not known to her. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) say both victims have provided similar descriptions of the perpetrator and that they are treating them as linked. The force say they are now 'working at pace' to identify the man responsible. They say they are looking for a black man who is 'believed to have been wearing a three piece suit or smart black clothes and a dark coat.' "The suspect is also believed to have been carrying a briefcase" a GMP statement said. They said a trawl of CCTV has led officers to identify a man matching the description leaving the Coco Lounge in Rochdale town centre at around 5am. Detectives are now appealing for anyone who may have seen a man matching this description, or who may have CCTV, dashcam, doorbell, or mobile phone footage from the Rochdale town centre, Broadfield Park or Milnrow Memorial Park areas in the early hours of this morning to come forward. Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Willis said: "We have a robust investigation underway and are working at pace to identify and locate the man responsible. Detectives are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry and we are committed to identifying whoever is responsible and bringing them to justice. "You will see an increased police presence in Broadfield Park, Milnrow Memorial Park and Rochdale town centre over the coming days and throughout this evening. Additional officers have been deployed to provide community reassurance and support our ongoing investigation. "We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a man matching the descriptions provided. "If you were in the area, or have any mobile phone footage, dashcam, CCTV or doorbell that could assist our enquiries, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please get in touch." Anyone with information is being urged to urgently contact GMP on 101 quoting incident number 79 and 880 of 25/07/2026, or using the LiveChat service on the force website. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.