Burnley sex attack - police release CCTV

Officers want to identify the man in the picture after a 30-year-old woman was attacked around 9-40 p.m. on Thursday, July 28th.

The offender started talking to the victim in Colne Road, at the junction of Church Street, before they walked around the side of the PC World store on Anchor Retail Park where the offence took place.

The man then ran away through Thursby Gardens towards the railway track. He is described as Asian, in his mid-20s and was wearing jeans and a white top.

Det. Insp. Paul Broxson, from Burnley CID, said: “This is a serious offence which has left the victim traumatised and a full investigation is underway. I would appeal to anybody that recognises the man in the CCTV or anyone in the Colne Road area on Thursday, July 28th, that saw anything suspicious to contact police.

“It is possible the man was loitering in the area immediately prior to the incident and someone may have seen him.

“We are also keen on speaking with a cyclist that could be a key witness. Following the attack the victim also spoke with a white man in the park area, explaining to him what had happened and we need this man to come forward.

“We are confident that with the communities’ assistance we will quickly arrest this man but in the meantime ask people to be extra vigilant while going about their day to day life. Extra police patrols will be in the area.”

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact Lancashire Police on 08451 253545 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.