Appeal following reported sexual assault in Bournemouth

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after a reported sexual assaulted in Bournemouth.

The incident reportedly happened at around 6pm on Sunday 12 July 2026 in the water at Bournemouth beach to the left of the pier, when a man swam up to a family group and touched a woman in her 40s on the bottom over her clothing.

The man is described as of Indian descent, about five feet six inches tall and with black hair and a small stubbly beard. He was wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts.

Officers attended and a 35-year-old London man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and released on conditional bail.

Police Constable Matthew McGuinness, of Dorset Police, said: “We believe that there were independent witnesses that saw the incident and I am appealing for them to please contact us as this could assist our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55260105198. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online using its website or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.