Third attack at holiday camp

The latest incident has raised fears that a serial sex attacker may be targeting women in or near the centre.

A woman was grabbed and dragged into bushes outside the camp at 1am on Sunday.

She was saved by a Butlins security guard who heard her screams. The attacker fled when he was disturbed.

The woman had been walking from a night club to her home, through a cycle path in the area where Gloucester Road meets the High Street, between Hotham Park and Butlins' perimeter fence.

The attacker fled towards the town.

Up to 30 police officers have been assigned to the case.

Police say there are similarities between the latest attack and two previous sex attacks, although they cannot establish a definite link at this stage.

The previous incidents took place inside Butlins last week. A member of staff was attacked on August 14 and a guest was assaulted in the early hours of August 10.

Women at the camp say they are now frightened to walk alone.

Lisa Marsh, 35, an accounts manager from Salisbury, is staying at the resort with her eight-year-old daughter, Victoria, and her 59-year-old mother, Molly.

She said: "We got a leaflet telling us about the attacks pushed through our door. I was really shocked.

"I was already having to worry about keeping an eye on my daughter after the Holly and Jessica episode and now I'm having to make sure my mother is safe."

Brenda Hyde, 62, visiting from Andover, Hampshire, said: "I don't really feel intimidated by the attacks, I think it is the younger women who are more scared. But I wouldn't walk around alone at night.

"I have noticed there is more security which is a good thing. Last night we got stopped at about midnight and asked for ID cards, which made me feel a lot safer. At least they are checking people. We are determined to still enjoy our holiday."

A married couple who work at the camp were satisfied Butlins was doing all it could to protect staff and guests.

The woman said: "There are not many women walking around on their own now. They are walking around in groups instead."

Her husband said: "Butlins are doing all that they can. They have stepped up security, handed out leaflets saying they are working with police and last night I saw police walking around the resort."

Detectives will be comparing the three attacks to those investigated in Operation Bobcat. A man linked to one rape and 13 indecent assaults in the Chichester and Bognor areas between 1996 and May 2000 has never been caught.

The suspect in the latest attack outside Butlins was described as white, aged 25 to 30, 5ft 8in, with cropped mousy hair. He was slim with a tanned complexion and wore jeans, possibly with a denim jacket.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "This attack was very serious and the woman was very shaken. It could have been a lot worse if the security guard had not intervened.

"Three attacks in nine days is very worrying. We would urge all women in the area to think about their personal safety.

"We have a team of up to 30 officers working on the investigation. Detectives are working around the clock to identify the attacker or attackers."

The holiday camp is at the height of its season and 4,700 people are staying there.

A Butlins spokesman said: "The safety of our guests is a top priority. We have stepped up security since the incidents last week and warned staff to be vigilant.

"We will also be handing out leaflets with safety advice and a statement from police to all our guests."

Last year, as part of Operation Bobcat, officers carried out a mass DNA screening exercise in their hunt for a serial attacker dubbed the Thursday Night Rapist.

The police spokesman said: "Detectives will be comparing the similarities between the Operation Bobcat attacks and these latest incidents.

"They will look at how the attacks were executed, where they happened, the description of the offenders and their psychological profiles."

Anyone with information should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.