A WOMAN has been sexually assaulted in broad daylight while walking in a Selby street.

North Yorkshire Police said the woman was carrying shopping in Buller Street at about 9.40am on Wednesday, when she became aware that she was being followed by a man.

The woman, who is in her thirties, dropped her phone close to Bright Walk, and realised as she bent to pick it up that the man was walking towards her with his hands down the front of his tracksuit bottoms.

A police spokesman said the woman was alarmed and dropped her shopping, then asked the man to go away. He mumbled a reply, which she could not understand, then walked past the woman and touched her bottom. After the woman shouted at him and told him to get off, the man tried to touch her again before walking away.

PC Neel Seth, of Selby police, said: “This is totally unacceptable and alarming behaviour and this person must be stopped before he does it again. I urge anyone who can assist the investigation to contact Selby police as a matter of urgency.

“Although the victim was physically uninjured, she was very shaken up by the experience. Any other women who have been subjected to this type of incident are also urged to get in touch.”

The suspect was described as white, about 5ft 4in tall, aged about 17 or 18, and had a dark goatee beard. At the time of the assault, he was wearing a dark beanie hat and tracksuit trousers.

Police have urged anyone with information which could assist the investigation, identify the man, or who witnessed the assault, to contact them on 101, quoting reference 12120204793. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted, anonymously, on 0800 555111.