SCOTTISH women’s campaigners spoke of their shock yesterday at a surge in the number of sex attacks on public transport after police released CCTV images of a man they are hunting in connection with three assaults.

Police are investigating a series of daylight sex assaults on female passengers on Glasgow buses.

Three women were assaulted in separate incidents in Glasgow between November 19 and 27 last year and each occurred while the women were travelling on different buses.

Police Scotland have released images of a man in his mid-30s whom they say may be able to assist with the inquiry and are urging people to call if they recognise him.

He is described as about 5ft 9 tall and of medium build with short brown hair and a receding hair line.

He occasionally wears glasses with a thick frame.

The first incident took place on November 19 last year on a number 57 bus at Jamaica Street and the second five days later on a number 6 service at Argyle Street.

On November 27 a woman was assaulted on a number 61 bus at Maryhill Road.

Glasgow East Women’s Aid collective manager Pamela McElhinney said: “We are shocked to see the evidence Police Scotland have released in relation to the CCTV images captured in November.

“It is unacceptable that these sorts of attacks happen at any time, but the fact that perpetrators of these types of sexual violations are now striking in broad daylight and in public areas is highly concerning.”

McElhinney said there had been an increase in the number of women reporting feeling afraid while out walking or on public transport.

She added: “Anecdotally, some women we work with have told us about feeling fear around walking or travelling in public transport alone at night.

“However, the fact that women now need to consider their safety in daylight in public spaces is extremely regressive in terms of women’s sense of safety within a social context.”

She urged those in charge of public transport to adopt a zero-tolerance approach on their vehicles.

McElhinney said: “To the bus and rail companies – as a women’s organisation – we would ask that where possible they promote on their vehicles that they have a zero-tolerance approach towards any abusive behaviour, whether that be to their driver or passengers.

“We’d also be very happy to provide some training to the travel company staff on aspects of abuse and in particular intimidation and fear caused by sexual violations.”

Detective Constable Lee-Anne Miller, of Glasgow Cathcart Police Office, said: “I am appealing for any witnesses to this incident, or anyone who can identify the man in the CCTV image to come forward to police.”

First Glasgow, which runs buses and trains, insisted incidents of sexual assault were rare.

A spokesperson for First Glasgow said: “Over two million passenger trips are made by bus in the Greater Glasgow area every week and these types of incidents are extremely rare.

“Bus travel remains a very safe mode of transport and the safety of our customers is paramount.

“All our brand-new buses carry CCTV as standard and we would advise any passenger who feels concerned during their journey to make the driver aware.”

First has an arrangement with Police Scotland that allows officers to travel on our buses for nothing while on-duty, either in uniform or on production of their warrant card.

In December, the police released CCTV footage of another man who was suspected of sexually assaulting two women on separate buses in July last year.

The incidents happened on board a number 2 bus, between Argyle Street and St Vincent Terrace in the city centre.

Police took the decision to release the image, captured by a security camera on the vehicle, in a bid to trace the culprit.