A 21-year old woman has been sexually assualted as she walked home alone in the early hours of this morning.

The woman was walking along the cycle route towards Station Road at 2am when a man jumped out from bushes behind her and pulled her into the Hardcourt recreation ground in Ferndale, Swindon.

He then pushed her to the ground and sexually assualted her before running away.

Dective Tony Mitchell said: "We are urging anyone who may have seen anything, no matter how small to contact Swindon CID immediately.

"Although attacks of these kinds are rare in Swindon, there are a number of precautions people can take if they have to walk home alone.

"They could try and walk in a group, walk along well lit areas, use a taxi if possible or carry portable safety devices - such as personal safety alarms.

"It is also a good idea to contact someone and tell them where you are walking, what time you left and the time you think you will be back.

"Anyone who wants more information on personal safety issues, please contact the Crime Prevention Team at Swindon Police station."

Anyone with information on the attack should call Acting Detective Inspector Dennison at Swindon CID on 0845 408 7000.