A HUNT has begun after a man was seen groping two women on a Southampton bus.

Police have launched an investigation after a man, aged between 60 and 70-years-old, molested the women on separate journeys along the same route – all in the space of an hour.

The man, described as “having brown skin with a beer belly” by officers, first assaulted a 17-year-old girl on the Bluestar bus 18 travelling from Thornhill to the city centre.

At 4.30pm on June 11, the girl got on in the centre of Southampton, before being assaulted by the man, and leaving the bus.

Then, after getting off the bus himself, the man got back on the number 18 at Northam Bridge, and assaulted a second woman, this time a 23-year-old.

Both, police said, involved the man touching the women inappropriately.

A statement from Hampshire Constabulary said: “We would like to speak with him following two reports of sexual assaults against a 17-year-old girl and a 23-year-old woman on a bus in Southampton last month.

“Both assaults took place on a number 18 bus that links the city to Thornhill on Monday 11 June between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.

“The 17-year-old girl was assaulted at around 4.30pm. The 23-year-old woman was assaulted at 5.30pm.

“Both victims reported to police they had been touched inappropriately. The man we want to speak to is described as having brown skin, aged between 60 and 70-years-old, had a beer belly and was wearing a red polo shirt and dark trousers.

“Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting 44180217967.”

Police said that after the initial reports, they had tried to identify the man themselves through a number of enquiries, having got hold of the CCTV. After failing to identify the man, they then issued the images to the public yesterday, despite the reported assaults happening in June.

Bluestar were unavailable for comment as the Echo went to press.