POLICE have increased their presence on a Darlington estate after a woman was attacked by a masked man.

The woman was walking her dog near Honeypot Lane, which joins on to Wayland Terrace, at around 7.15pm on Tuesday when a man, who was wearing a balaclava, approached her from nearby woodland and assaulted her.

Durham Police said "investigations are ongoing" and police patrols have been increased in the area.

Witnesses told The Northern Echo, the woman, who suffered minor injuries to her face, was “smacked” and “winded” by the attacker, whose eyes were only just visible due to the balaclava covering his face.

The woman’s dog then bit the attacker, who escaped.

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: “Police are appealing for information following an unprovoked assault in Darlington.

“Officers were called to reports of an assault in woodland near Honeypot Lane last night at around 7.15pm.

“A woman who was walking her dog was assaulted by a man wearing a balaclava who then fled the scene.

“The man is described as approximately 6ft tall, stocky build and wearing all black.”

  • Anyone who may have been a witness or has any information about the man are encouraged to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 410 on June 13, 2017.