Police to survey sex workers in hunt for attacker

Police will be canvassing an Auckland "red light district" this Thursday night for people who may have sighted the man who attacked a prostitute last week.

The woman was seriously injured in the attack, and police have said they are sure her assailant intended to kill her.

The woman was slowly recovering, although an injury to her right eye was causing some concern, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner of Auckland police told NZPA. The woman would be undergoing further surgery today on damaged tendons in her left hand.

"We're trying to get around all the sex workers and other workers who would have been up and around the K Rd area last Thursday/Friday," Mr Turner said.

"We will be out on the streets on Thursday night trying to locate them and see if anyone is able to help."

Police were working with the woman on an identikit picture of her attacker, a process which was being delayed by her operation today, Mr Turner said.

"That means we're not going to be able to speak to her today, but otherwise she's coming along quite well although very traumatised."

The woman's attacker was described as a skinny Caucasian man aged between 40 and 50. He picked her up in a light-brown or caramel coloured car, possibly a 1970s or 1980s Holden or Ford, about 2am.

- NZPA