The Bath Chronicle has been praised by police for its role in helping to bring a serial sex attacker in the city to justice.

Adrian Warburton faces life in jail after admitting nine attacks over the space of nine months, but police said the figure could have been higher without the Chronicle’s coverage.

One of Warburton’s victims also came forward as a direct result of the paper’s reports on other attacks.

In July last year, when fears over the attacks were at their peak, the Chronicle printed leaflets urging women not to walk home alone and giving advice on safety measures.

The leaflets were distributed by police during night time patrols and the posters produced by the paper were displayed around the city.

DI Guy Turner, who led the police’s investigation, said: “The Chronicle has made a real difference.

“Its coverage and safety posters could well have prevented there being another victim.”

Chronicle editor Sam Holliday said: “I am very proud of the work done by all the team at the Bath Chronicle from the initial attack right through to the conclusion of the trial.

“This was a classic example of the police and the press working together well to ensure the local community had the best possible information on a story that affected everyone in the area.”