Police urged those wanting to jog around Western Springs Park this evening "to take extra care". Photo / File
Police urged those wanting to jog around Western Springs Park this evening "to take extra care". Photo / File
Auckland police are urging joggers to take extra care, following an attack on a young woman at Western Springs last night.
Police were investigating the "sexually motivated assault", and appealing for information from the public.
Detective Senior Sergeant Glenn Baldwin said the victim, aged in her late 20s, had "a pretty tough evening" last night.
"We have made contact with her and we'll be speaking with her later this week. We have put her in touch with our specialist support people, but obviously she's had a tough time."
Baldwin said the incident was "really alarming for any woman of Auckland", and it was important that people felt safe and were safe.
"We'd urge people to take care and be vigilant of people ... particularly suspicious people. This kind of thing is an uncommon occurrence, and we'll be looking into it pretty seriously."
When asked if it would still be safe to jog around Western Springs Park this evening, Baldwin said: "I would urge you to take extra care."
The detective said the assault was undoubtedly sexually motivated, but he would not go into details.
"I'm not going to go into the details of that, but elements of the crime are quite alarming."
The victim had been running around the park when she saw three young men standing on the path.
"She ran past, but as she did one of the men grabbed her clothing and another began pushing her towards bushes and a creek area. A struggle ensued during which she fell over, but she continued to fight back."
Where the attack took place.
After a short time she broke free and the assailants ran off.
Baldwin said it was crucial they hear from people who knew about these young men.
"During the struggle there was a third man who was standing at the path when she saw the group of men. That man is not a suspect, and we would like to speak with him."
Baldwin said the young man who witnessed the incident was likely to know who the attackers were.
"I urge him to please come forward and speak with us."
Detectives had been out in the Western Springs area this morning, canvassing for CCTV footage and witnesses.
Baldwin said police officers would be back at the park tonight about the same time the attack occurred, canvassing people to see if they could assist police.
"We would like to hear from anybody who was in the Western Springs Park area last night at about 8.30pm [who] may have seen either the jogger or the men."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Auckland City Police Crime Squad on (09) 302 6557.
