Detectives Investigate Serious Sex Attack In Southampton
2 July 2014, 19:12 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
Police are investigating reports of a serious sexual assault in Southampton.
Sometime between 2.30am and 3am this morning (Wednesday, July 2) a 29- year-old woman was seriously sexually assaulted by a man on Merryoak Road near to it's junction with Cypress Avenue.
The woman had been working locally and had returned to her car, parked on Cypress Avenue, when she was approached and threatened by the man. She was then forced to a small wooded area on the corner of Merryoak Road where he assaulted her.
The woman is receiving specialist support from officers and police enquiries are ongoing.
The man is described as:
- white
- 5 ft 8" / 5ft 9" tall
- early 30s
- short dark hair
- medium build
- clean shaven
- he was wearing jeans, a dark coloured jumper
- he spoke with no recognisable accent.
Detective Inspector, Jim Park, said:
"This was a terrifying ordeal for the lady concerned, but there is nothing to suggest that this is linked to any other incidents at this stage.
"I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the area who heard or saw anything that may possibly be relevant to our investigation. Also, anyone who may know a friend or relative who arrived home in the early hours of this morning and who was perhaps behaving out of character.
"I would always urge anyone regardless of age, both male and female, to be aware of your personal safety especially after dark. Stick to well-lit areas, and where possible try not to walk alone and carry a personal safety alarm."
"We'll have extra officers on patrol around the Bitterne area. If you do have any problems, please speak to them or call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Hampshire Police on 101.
