Woman attacked in central Hamilton

File photo / Martin Sykes

Police are investigating a callous attack on a woman in central Hamilton over the weekend.

The woman was in the city's nightclub area about 2am on Sunday, when she decided to stay at the inner-city home of friends, Detective Sergeant Neville Ross said.

As she knocked on the door, she was grabbed from behind and dragged to the ground. Her attacker then tried to assault her.

Her struggle alerted her friends upstairs, who came to help, causing the attacker to flee.

"Our victim suffered scratches and bruising in this attack and is naturally shocked by her ordeal," Mr Ross said.

The offender is described as a male Caucasian, short, of slim to medium build, in his late 20s.

He had short brown hair, and was dressed in dark trousers and a dark dress shirt.

Mr Ross is asking people, particularly women, going into the city for a night out to take some precautions.

"Leave no one behind, if you go as a group leave as a group, take a taxi or have a safe driver and know where everyone in your party is going and who they are going with.

"Save enough for a taxi fare, that last $20 dollars may be better spent arranging to get home safely than being spent over the bar, keep an eye on your drinks and maintain your situational awareness."

Mr Ross said initial indications showed yesterday's attack was not related to two other incidents in the city over recent weeks.

- NZPA