A CHIPPENHAM councillor has slammed the response from Wiltshire Police after two women were shown indecent images by a man walking through the town.

The two incidents, which police are linking, both happened on October 3 with the first occurring at 2pm when a 67-year-old local woman was approached on Sheldon Road by a man seeking help before showing indecent images on his phone.

The second incident happened less than 20 minutes later when a 76-year-old woman was approached on Hungerdown Lane near to the Tesco garage and also shown indecent images on a mobile.

Councillor Sandie Webb, who knows the first victim, has been left angry at the response of the police – who she claims did not come out to see the victim – especially after a serious sexual assault took place on a woman in her twenties only weeks ago in the town.

“I am a councillor for that area and I’m pretty appalled that it was not taken more seriously,” said Coun Webb.

“It was something that warranted someone to come out, she [the victim] was aware of the sexual assault and expected them to come out but instead they phoned her hours later.

“When her husband got back from work they drove around just to see if he was still about.

“It’s a good description, at that time of day in Hungerdown Lane and on Sheldon Road there’s not that many people walking around.

“You just don’t know if he was connected [with the sexual assault], but it’s a coincidence that it was in that area.

“Normally you would walk down that street and wouldn’t think twice but now it does make you stop and think.”

The man is described as over 6ft tall, of solid build, with dark hair, a dark beard and was wearing a dark coloured t-shirt.

Wiltshire Police confirmed that an investigation into a serious sexual assault which took place in the area of Downing Street and Canterbury Street is still on-going and that in relation to the indecent images incident they would be contacting the victim.

Central Wiltshire superintendent Chris Chammings said of the indecent images incident: “Police units were mobilised to the scene, however, on route to the scene, units were diverted to a report of a sudden death and a second report of a male driving while disqualified and believed to be in possession of drugs.

“As a result of this, officers were not able to attend immediately, but did carry out patrols in the area that afternoon.

“The incident has been tasked to an officer to attend the victim’s address once she returns from holiday and a wider appeal has been issued to local media and published on force social media accounts encouraging any witnesses to the incident to make contact with the police.

“Anyone with information should call 101.”