A DOG walking was groped in what police are describing as an extremely concerning sexual assault.

Detectives have issued a witness appeal following the attack which happened last night in Accrington

Police said that at around 6pm a 53-year-old local woman, who has not been named, was walking her dog along a footpath in a field close to the rear of Epping Avenue between Whinney Hill Road and East Crescent when the assault happened.

The victim walked past a man and on completing a circular walking route, she noticed the same man walking towards her.

He then grabbed her shoulder and forced his hand between her legs.

She shouted at her attacker, pushed him off and managed to run away.

He ran off in the opposite direction.

The suspect is described as white, between 18 to 20-years-old, around 5ft 8in to 5ft 9 ins tall, of medium build with thick, collar length blonde hair with an off centre parting.

At the time of the attack he was wearing a navy blue sweat top with a cream logo on the front, matching jogging bottoms with dark trainers.

Police have stepped up patrols in the area.

Detective Inspector Paul Barlow, who is leading the investigation, said: “This was an extremely concerning assault on a woman simply out walking her pet on a well-known local dog walking route.

"I would like to reassure residents that whilst incidents like this are rare, we have stepped up patrols in the area.

“We need to find this man and so I would urge anyone who might have seen anything or knows of anyone matching the below description to get in touch immediately.”

Anyone with information can call Blackburn CID on 01254 353863 or if they fail to get an answer, 101, quoting incident reference 1088 of August 25.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.