The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
KNIFEMAN HUNT AFTER SEX ATTACK
Extra police patrols after terrifying assault on woman in broad daylight:
Extra police patrols were mounted in Peterborough after a woman was sexually assaulted at knifepoint.
Officers are carrying out visible patrols at the footpath near Rhubarb Bridge where the A47 meets Lincoln Road this week, more than seven days after the attack.
The victim, who is in her 20s, was walking towards Ivatt Way, when she was approached between 11am and 11.30am on Saturday, September 30.
She was approached by a youth who threatened her with a knife before sexually assaulting her.
Businesses in the area reported police attending to warn female staff about the attack.
But, a Cambridgeshire police spokesman said they had visited businesses to speak to potential witnesses and view CCTV footage.
He said; “We had officers visiting local businesses in the area where the assault took place as part of our inquiries.”
The spokesman said staff would have been given security advice, which would be given following any attacks.
The attacker is described as being of Asian appearance, in his late teens, about 5’8” tall, slim, with short black hair and a small moustache. He was wearing black jeans and a black jacket.
Detective Sergeant Gordon Blair urged anyone with information about the attack to come forward.
He added: “This was a terrifying experience for the victim who was not injured, but extremely upset and shaken.
“Although this is not a residential area, I hope someone may have seen a youth matching this description at the time.”
Officers have now arrested a man in connection with the attack, but carried out appeals for more information on Saturday. DS Blair said there had been extra patrols in the area and these would continue throughout the week.
The arrested man, an 18-year-old, has been released by police under investigation.
The knifepoint attack is the latest crime involving a weapon in the city. Last week The PT revealed there had been a 55 per cent rise in crimes involving weapons over the past six months.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Cambridgeshire police on 101, quoting incident number 285 of September 30, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.