A Napier man has been arrested following an alleged indecent assault on a woman on Burns Rd.
A 29 year-old will appear in the Hastings District Court today, charged with one count of indecent assault in relation to an incident on Burns Rd, Napier, last Sunday.
A woman was walking at about 8.45am when she was approached by a young man and indecently assaulted, before he ran away towards Battery Rd.
Police said the arrest of the 29-year-old had come during the investigation of a spate of similar attacks on women in the area over the last few weeks.
Police haven't established if there is a connection between them.
Hawke's Bay area commander Dave Greig said police had worked long and hard on the investigation and were pleased the arrest had helped progress it.
The alleged attacks had caused "unrest" in the community, he said.
"We want to reiterate our public safety messages which includes keeping to well-lit areas where possible, keeping your cellphone close, and ensuring you remain alert and aware of your surroundings.
"We really appreciate the support from the public, as it is their information and willingness to assist us that has helped us get this far in our investigations."
Earlier this week police released CCTV images of a male believed to have information about the assault on Burns Rd.
Police are still seeking information in regards to the other alleged attacks, which have taken place at Napier Hill, Taradale, and Havelock North.
Last Sunday a woman walking on Iona Rd, Havelock North, was assaulted at 9.55am by a young man who ran away down Breadalbane Rd.
The week before, on November 1, a Woodford House student was running with a friend when she was reportedly grabbed by a young, well-dressed male as they ran past him on Palmerston Rd in Havelock North.
Police are also making inquiries into an attempted indecent assault at the intersection of Meeanee and Lee roads in Taradale that same night.
The following morning a Napier Girls' High School student reported being grabbed from behind by a man while walking to school on Bluff Hill.
Following this Napier Girls' High School had started refreshing techniques with students in the Year 10 self-defence classes which offered self-defence classes and had introduced the classes to Year 9 students early.
Last month a woman was sexually assaulted while walking in the Shakespeare Rd area on Bluff Hill and at the end of September a female jogger was attacked while exercising on O'Dowd Rd in Taradale around 6am.
Detective Sergeant Crowe of the Hawke's Bay Criminal Investigation Branch had previously said anyone who encountered an indecent was advised to make noise, call for help and immediately dial 111.
If people felt safe enough to take a video of a suspicious event on their cellphone it would benefit the investigation team, he said.
Anyone who may have witnessed any of the assaults or with information is encouraged to call Hawke's Bay CIB on 06 211 3872 or provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.