Teenager Attacked On Southampton Common

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a 19-year-old woman was assaulted and robbed on the main path within Southampton Common in the early hours of Sunday, July 15.

Between 1.04 and 2.20am, the woman was on the path that runs along the west side of the Common from Hill Lane, near the Bellemoor public house, north towards Burgess Road. 

A man passed her before coming behind her, hitting her on the head and demanding her mobile phone. When she said she did not have a mobile, he grabbed her by the hair and hit her on the back of the head, causing her to fall to the ground. 

The woman took off her jacket and handed it to the offender who threw it down. He told her to run. The offender is described as a man with an English accent who is 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall. He wore a dark grey tracksuit. 

The woman suffered bruising to her head and cuts and grazes to her knees. Her IPOD is missing. 

Detectives want to speak with anyone who was in or around the Hill Lane/Burgess Road end of Southampton Common between 1 and 3am Sunday, July 15. 

They particularly want to trace an Asian taxi driver who was flagged down by the victim shortly after the incident. He drove a white taxi and was clean-shaven with short dark hair. 

They also want to trace a white man in his forties who was walking up Hill Lane. He had brown hair and wore a green jacket. 

Police have increased patrols in the area of the Common. T

They want to remind the public to avoid secluded areas late at night or in the early hours of the morning and are advising people to avoid walking alone at those times. 

Witnesses are asked to contact Bitterne CID on 101 or leave information on the anonymous Crimestoppers charity line on 0800 555 111. Minicom users can ring 01962 875000.