Police are asking people to be cautious after numerous sexual assaults on the same trail this summer.

The Winnipeg Police Service cannot say if all incidents are related, but they do say there have been several sexual assaults along the Red River Trail system.

"Several incidents involving females being physically accosted at various points along the Red River Trail system. The victims were grabbed from behind, pulled to the ground, and threatened with a weapon," police say in a statement.

Women aged 15 to being in their 30s have been reporting assaults along this trail since April and as recently as Sunday evening.

Early Sunday morning, at around 3:45 a.m., a woman was walking behind Churchill High School when a man grabbed her, sexually assaulting her. The victim broke free, running for help. 

More than 12 hours later, a woman in her 20s was jogging along the trail near Harkness Avenue around 6 p.m. She was then attacked from behind by an unknown man, grabbing her, and pulling her to the ground. The woman began screaming and escaped.

Since the spring, police say women have been attacked along this system from the early evening hours to sunup. All incidents occurred along the west Red River trail from the Osborne Bridge, south along Churchill Drive, to the Elm Park footbridge at Jubilee Avenue. 

They are asking people to:

  • walk/run along the trails with a partner when possible
  • tell someone the route you are taking
  • avoid poorly lit paths or running/walking when it is dark
  • stick to populated paths when running/walking/cycling
  • carry a cellphone and/or personal alarm device
  • run without headphones
  • if you are confronted, be loud and shout for help

The Sex Crimes Unit is investigating, asking anyone with information to call 204-986-6245 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).