Safety call as police hunt sex attacker

Wairarapa police are continuing their search for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a young girl in Masterton and are warning women to keep safe.

Wairarapa CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Sean Hansen said they wanted to find the alleged offender as quickly as possible.

The girl was walking by herself on Colombo Rd about 9.30pm on Saturday, towards Church St from Te Ore Ore Rd, when she was confronted by the man who pushed her to the ground and assaulted her.

Police finished their scene examination and interviews with the girl and other witnesses, but were keen to hear from anyone else who may have been in or around the area at the time.

"We believe her attacker may have been riding a mountain bike either just before or just after the assault, and we want to find this person as quickly as possible," he said.

"This means we are very interested in hearing from anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in the Colombo Rd area around 9.30pm on Saturday."

Mr Hansen said people needed to take precautions if walking alone. "While there is nothing at this stage to indicate any other assaults following this incident, we urge that lone females in particular take care to keep themselves safe, as we don't want to see a repeat of this type of attack."

The man was described as dark-skinned and in his late teens or early twenties.