A WOMAN was indecently assaulted as weekend shoppers passed by.

It happened after the woman, in her early twenties, left her boyfriend in Lau's buffet restaurant in North Road, Durham City, to get some fresh air, on Saturday, shortly after 4pm.

She was on Framwellgate Bridge when three men approached. One came up behind her, touched her in an indecent manner, and wrapped his arms around her while the others cheered.

The victim returned to the restaurant and told her 24-year-old boyfriend what had happened. He attempted to confront the men, but they walked awayin the direction of Yates's Wine Lodge.

The man who committed the assault was in his late twenties, about 5ft 6in, clean shaven with a ruddy complexion and cropped red hair.

He was wearing a light-coloured, light-weight zipped jacket and a white T-shirt with the FCUK logo in black.

One of the other men was in his fifties, thin, about 6ft, with short, grey hair, and was wearing a denim jacket.

The third man was in his late twenties, 5ft 6in, with short, black hair and was wearing a black jumper.

PC David Bell said: "The area this assault took place in was very busy at the time and it's likely someone passing by saw what happened.

"It may have looked as though the people involved were friends just larking about, but this was not the case and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the attack to contact us."

Witnesses should ring PC Bell on 0191-386 4222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.