A WOMAN was sexually assaulted as she walked to York railway station early this morning (Friday, July 21).

Detectives are appealing for information after the woman was attacked at 5.20am as she walked along Station Road near the gardens of the Principle Hotel.

She was grabbed by a man who sexually assaulted her over her clothing.

He then ran off through the hotel gardens and along Leeman Road towards the railway bridge.

He is described as white, aged in his early 20s and was wearing a bright blue Puffa-style jacket with the hood up, jogging bottoms and trainers.

Chief Inspector Al Wescott of York police, said: “I appreciate this third incident may cause alarm among the people of York.

"I would like to reassure members of the public that we are doing all we can to find the suspect, but in the meantime, people should be alert, but not scared. Take safety measures if you are walking alone at night, stay together with friends, stick to well-lit streets and be aware of who is around you.

“At this stage it is too early to say if the incident is connected to the sexual assaults reported last week and a man remains in police custody as enquiries into those assaults continue.”

Anyone who was in the Station Road area at around 5am to 5.30am this morning and has any information that can assist the investigation, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for York Serious Crime Team.

If you wish to remain anonymous you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote incident number 12170128098 when passing on information.