Cheltenham dog walker sexually assaulted

A woman out walking her dog in Cheltenham has been seriously sexually assaulted.

A man attacked the 24-year-old when she was walking off Malvern Road at around 9pm on October 26.

The attacker is described as a white man, aged in his twenties and around 5ft 5inches tall. He was wearing a black hoody with a white scarf around his face and white trainers.

It was not reported to police until Friday and police are warning people to be extra vigilant.

Detective Inspector Steve Bean, from Cheltenham CID, said: "We take all reports of this kind extremely seriously.

"Incidents of this nature are very rare in Cheltenham and we do not want to cause any unnecessary alarm but would remind women to consider their personal safety.

"Try to avoid walking alone late at night, if you are out when it is dark then choose well-lit, busy routes."

Anyone with information about the incident should contact police on 0845 090 1234, quoting incident 200 of November 6, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For more information on personal safety visit the Gloucestershire Constabulary website at www.gloucestershire.police.uk.