Two indecent assaults may be linked - police

File photo / NZ Herald

Two indecent assaults on women who were attacked from behind are believed to be linked, Hamilton police say.

The two incidents both occurred within the last month and in the Claudelands Bridge area of the city, and police now believe they are searching for the same man.

The most recent attack took place yesterday about 6.30am when a 61-year-old woman was grabbed from behind and indecently assaulted, Detective Sergeant Will Loughrin of the Hamilton CIB said.

The woman was walking west across the Claudelands Bridge towards the CBD at the time.
The attacker was described as wearing a black hooded jumper with a large white emblem on the back.

"That offender then fled the scene on foot and was last seen running towards the River Rd over-bridge," Mr Loughrin said.

"Of interest, the offender was believed to be wearing socks and no shoes at the time of the attack."

A Good Samaritan then helped the woman to her workplace - police have appealed for this person to come forward.

Yesterday's attack had a "number of similarities" to an earlier attack in the same area on April 1, Mr Loughrin said.

"This attack occurred in Jesmond Park near to the Claudelands Rd Bridge and involved a 27- year-old victim being attacked from behind by an offender and indecently assaulted," he said.

"The offender ran from the scene on Opoia Rd when the victim began screaming and members of the public intervened, and was last scene near the Opoia Rd and Riro St intersection."

In the first attack the man was described as 172-175cm in height and of a stocky or solid build.

"Of significance to police was the hooded jumper worn by the offender in the first attack," Mr Loughrin said.

"This jumper is described as bright, possibly having an orange or pink, black/grey and white triangular type pattern and we believe this would be very distinctive."

Anyone who knows someone who wears or owns a jumper matching that description, or who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area of the two attacks in recent weeks, is asked to contact Mr Loughrin at Hamilton Central Police Station on 07 211 7325, or anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.