Man 72, arrested over 'sexual act on the beach'

A 72-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual acts with a woman on a popular holidaymakers' beach, police said today.

Members of the public contacted the police at 3.50pm on Sunday August 8, after witnessing two people apparently involved in a sexual act on the beach at Shanklin Esplanade, Isle of Wight.

The man, originally from the Derby area, was arrested with a 49-year-old woman from Redhill, Surrey, on suspicion of being involved in an act of outraging public decency.

The couple were questioned at Newport police station and released on police bail until September 26.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight police spokesman said: "Investigating officers would like to speak with members of the public who had been on Shanklin beach on Sunday afternoon.

"Several witnesses left the scene without passing on their contact details to the police."