Police probing the possibility a serial sex attacker is targeting women in their homes have moved to reassure concerned female residents.

Senior officers held a special Press conference yesterday and gave safety tips after criticism over the lack of detailed information released about six potentially linked sex assaults on the Island. News of the possible connection between the spate of worrying attacks on females emerged publicly for the first time towards the end of a media briefing on Tuesday. It had been held to announce the latest batch of police crime figures.

In the wake of this, a group representing sexual assault victims told that Police had to give as much information as possible about the incidents to alert women on the Island to any danger.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Sinclair White yesterday said inquiries were continuing into the string of assaults. He stressed they were not dealing with six reports of rape.

Police had earlier refused to state where the incidents ? which they said might be linked ? had taken place in the past several months.

But yesterday they confirmed the complainants were from Southampton, Warwick and Paget. Mr. White also confirmed all the women had been woken in the early hours by a prowler who then assaulted them, after gaining entry through an unlocked door or window.

On Tuesday, Penny Dill, executive director of the Women?s Resource Centre, said a description of the suspect would help Island residents.

However, when pressed by reporters on this issue yesterday, Mr. White said Police could not give any description of the suspect. Mr. White said officers had to be careful how much information they released at this stage in the investigation, led by a team from the Serious Crime Unit currently following up specific lines of inquiry.

He added: ?It would be inappropriate for the Bermuda Police Service to comment any further at this stage as the investigations are still very active and we wish to protect the integrity of those investigations.?understands no profile of the culprit has been given to the public because descriptions from the alleged victims vary, probably because of the night-time nature of the incidents.

Mr. White told reporters that on each occasion, the culprit had gained entry through an insecure door or window.

And he urged women to take precautions to secure their homes to prevent any repeat.

Sgt. Alex MacDonald, of the crime prevention unit, said: ?You should make sure your house is secure.?

He said windows should have latched locks, an outside and inside light should be left on when the property is empty and a ?peep hole? should be fitted in doors.

Anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity should call the serious crime unit on 299 4292 or the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477. Specific safety advice for women and further crime prevention tips are available on the Police website: www.bermudapolice.bm