Woman fights off woodland sex attacker
POLICE patrols have been stepped up after a ‘terrifying’ attempted sexual assault on a woman in woodland.
The woman was walking alone through Sunny Bank Vale near Greenside Lane in Droylsden before the incident at around 3pm.
She was attacked by a man but was able to fight back and escape, officers said. The suspect fled and no arrests have been made.
Police said the man approached the woman from the direction of Droylsden Academy playing fields.
He made off on foot towards the top end of the vale, heading away from the school.
The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5ft 10ins and in his 20s. He is described as having a skinny build, with brown eyes, brown hair cut into a faded style, distinctive teeth, a crooked nose and prominent cheek bones. He smelt strongly of cannabis, police said.
The suspect was wearing a full dark blue Nike tracksuit with black shoes.
Detective Sergeant Alison Haxby, of GMP’s Tameside district, said the victim was left ‘extremely shaken’ after the incident.
Anyone with information, particularly anyone who has any CCTV footage from the area, is being urged to get in touch with police as soon as possible.
Det Sgt Haxby said: “This is a terrifying attack and I would urge members of the public to be vigilant when in this area and report anything suspicious immediately to police.
“I understand that news of this incident will leave members of the public and local residents concerned and I would like to reassure them that we are taking this report extremely seriously.
“We have a dedicated team of officers assigned to this case and reassurance patrols have been increased in the area.
“Although the victim bravely fought back and managed to escape, she has been left extremely shaken and is being supported by officers.
“I would ask residents to come forward if they saw or heard anything in the area around the time of the incident or indeed if they have any information that could assist such as any sightings of anyone fitting the male’s description.
“I would also ask people to check their CCTV, doorbell and dashcam footage in the area or any routes to and from the vale area to see if they have captured the male.
“At this time we do not know if the male travelled to or from the location in a vehicle.”
Information can be passed to police at Ashton CID on 0161 856 9262 quoting incident 1982 of 14/11/2021 – or to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.