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Merseyside Police detectives
appeal for information after attempted sexual assault in Bootle
MERSEYSIDE Police is appealing for
witnesses after an attempted sexual assault in Bootle, in the early hours of
Wednesday, 1 November 2017. The victim, a woman aged in her 20's, was walking
along Hawthorne Road, close to the Junction of Westminster Road, shortly after
1am when she was attacked by a man. She was forced away from the main road, but,
after a struggle, managed to free herself and run back to Hawthorne Road where a
passing Taxi Driver stopped and drove her home to her family. The suspect is
described as a white man aged in his 40s of large build with a bald head and
black clothing. An investigation by the force's specialist rape and sexual
assault team 'Unity' has been launched and witnesses are being sought.
Detective Sergeant John Harrison said:- "We're extremely grateful to the
Taxi Driver who spotted the victim distressed in the road and stopped his cab to
help her. He was able to find out where she lived, speak to her mum and ensure
she got home safely. We are waiting to speak to this young woman in more detail
about what happened, but we believe she was pulled or dragged into a secluded
area off Hawthorne Road, by the offender. We are treating it as sexually
motivated and are doing everything we can to identify and trace this man.
Although it was very late at night we know there will have been people driving
in the area or coming home from Halloween parties in town so we would appeal for
anyone who was in the area and spotted anything suspicious to come forward. We
are particularly keen on speaking to anyone who was driving in the area using a
dash cam between 1am and 2am in case anything of significance was captured. In
the meantime local policing patrols have been stepped up in the area and we are
offering support to the victim at this difficult time." Anyone
with information is asked to call the Unity team on:- 0151 777 1319 or
Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.
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