Somerset police have addressed the return of a ‘masked gimp man’ to the area, saying that the individual ‘hasn't caused anyone harm’.
Over the past few years, there have been numerous sightings of a 6ft man wearing a latex bodysuit around the Claverham area, and earlier this month, Masked Gimp Man was once again spotted in the quiet village.
Responding to the new sightings, the Avon and Somerset Police pointed out that the individual ‘hasn't caused any harm to anyone’ nor has he ‘indicated that he's going to’.
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According to the Daily Star, Inspector Adam O’Loughlin said in full: "I can completely understand why seeing a man dressed that way would cause people to be extremely distressed.
"It is really important that people understand that this chap, in this particular incident in question, hasn't caused any harm to anyone or indicated he's going to."
O’Loughlin also reportedly added that ‘it’s not for him to say what's unusual or what's normal or not’.
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LADbible has approached the Avon and Somerset Police for comment.
O’Loughlin’s comments come days after a 19-year-old teaching assistant and her boyfriend claimed to have had a run-in with a man who fits the description.
Keira Elston and her boyfriend were walking home at 1am on Sunday (26 June) after getting out of a taxi in the village of Yatton in Somerset.
She said that as they reached the Claverham Road roundabout, her boyfriend suddenly noticed someone and said: “There's a man.”
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A masked man in a latex gimp suit walked up to the pair and Keira said he stood with his legs apart and his arms outstretched 'like he was proud' and wanted her to remember the encounter.
She said: "I'm still really shaken up by it. I've got the image in my head of him walking towards me and staring and I did not have a clue what his intention was. I dread to think what would have happened if I have been on my own."
After what she described as 'the most terrifying experience' of her life, Keira and her boyfriend ran home.
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Police searched the area but found no trace of the man, who was described as being 6ft, tall and slim. Extra patrols were also carried out in response.
A statement from Avon and Somerset Police said they are 'keeping an open mind' as to whether this incident is linked to previous appearances of the gimp man.