AN ARREST has been made after several reports of a man approaching women and girls.

Police detained a man after a 17-year-old girl was approached in Hassocks.

But the force believe this incident may be linked to three similar reports in Brighton, Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint.

The 17-year-old girl was approached by a man in his 30s driving a silver car in London Road, Hassocks at about 10pm on Wednesday.

He asked her to get into the car but she said no and walked away.

A Sussex Police spokesman has now revealed the force believes this incident is linked to a 16-year-old girl being approached in Copse Hill, Brighton in December, a 44-year-old woman who was approached in Langton Lane, Hassocks, in June 2019 and a 22-year-old woman being approached in Hurst Road, Hurstpierpoint.

Investigating officer Sam Bate said: “We would like to praise the victims in the case for coming forward and reporting this to us as suspicious behaviour.

“Further investigation work has taken place and we believe the four incidents could be linked due to the similarities in the nature of the occurrences and description.

“You can report information to us either online or call 101 quoting Operation Ecuador.”

On Sunday, police arrested a 32-year-old man from Burgess Hill on suspicion of stalking involving serious alarm or distress and harassment without violence.

He was released on police bail until Friday, June 5.