Police investigate 'tampon maniac' in Groningen

Police in the Northern Dutch city of Groningen are investigating a man who rummages though rubbish bags in search of used tampons and sanitary towels. The 40-year-old local man is particularly interested in tampons used by students and young women, a police spokesperson said on Tuesday. The fetishist has been active for at least the last six months and has been regularly spotted searching through garbage outside student dorms. It is not known what he does with the items he collects. He has left letters for several of his 'victims'. Citing the interests of the investigation, the police spokesperson refused to disclose the contents of the letters, but said they included a play on words. Only one female student has lodged a criminal complaint so far, but it is expected that two others will come forward shortly. Police hope to be in a position to detain the man shortly for harassment and threatening behaviour. Opening and rummaging through other people's garbage only carries a fine. This is not the first time the man - dubbed the 'tampon maniac' by the Dutch media - has been active in Groningen. He regularly collected tampons a few years ago but stopped after a "good talk" with police. He took up his strange hobby again about six months ago. It is not known how often he goes out looking for tampons, but the police spokesperson said he is "very active". Police plan to send him to professionals to investigate his "extremely deviant behaviour" once they have sufficient grounds to arrest him.