A 16-year-old boy was yesterday bailed to appear at Camberwell Magistrates Court in September after pleading not guilty to three charges of sexual assault, two counts of theft and one of attempted robbery.

The boy was arrested on Monday in connection with the six attacks on women in South Norwood Country Park throughout May and June.

The police made their arrest just days after a community protest in the park prompted television coverage and broader awareness of the attacks in the park.

All the victims, who were aged from their early 30s to mid-60s, were walking or jogging alone, five of them with dogs. All the offences occurred in broad daylight and on weekdays, with four women being sexually assaulted and in four cases the attacker stole or attempted to steal the victim’s mobile phone.

The teenager was the second arrest to be made by the police; a man who was taken to Croydon Police Station last week was released without charge.

The strict bail conditions are understood to include the boy wearing an electronic tagging device, and being banned from the borough of Croydon. He has been placed into the supervision of his family.

In a statement issued yesterday, the police are now advising park users to be vigilant and say that additional patrols have been carried out in the area.

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