A WOMAN was sexually assaulted as she walked along a footpath near the River Frome in Stapleton.
Police say a man approached the woman while she walking along the Frome Valley Walkway at about 1pm on Monday.
He asked for directions to Blackberry Hill and the woman pointed him in the right direction before continuing on her walk.
But police say the man instead followed the woman up Wickham Glen, which links the riverside path to Park Road in Stapleton, and attacked her.
The woman, who is in her 40s, alerted another member of the public when she reached Park Road.
Police say they are making enquiries to identify the man, who is described as black, about 6ft tall, in his late 20s or early 30s and slim, with short Afro-style hair.
Extra patrols
A force spokesperson said extra patrols are being carried out in the area.
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said: “A thorough investigation into this sexual assault is underway and we would please ask anyone with information – or anyone who may have been a victim of a similar offence and not reported it to us – to contact us.
“The local neighbourhood team are increasing high-visibility patrols in the area to provide reassurance and to help answer any concerns members of the public may have.
“We are committed to making the streets of Bristol as safe as they can be and would like to remind women we run Walk and Talk sessions across the city, where they can go out with female officers and PCSOs and share their experiences or worries with us to help achieve that aim.”
Police have asked anyone who has information that could help their investigation to call 101 or visit the police website, quoting the crime reference number 5224 156 250.
Women interested in booking a ‘walk and talk’ to raise safety issues can register on the police website.
Picture: Wickham Glen where it joins Park Road in Stapleton