The police are appealing for information after a woman was assaulted while walking on the North Shore.
File photo. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The woman in her 60s was out walking on Puriri Avenue in Orewa around 9.15pm on Sunday night.
Inspector Mark Fergus said she was walking towards the Kensington Park subdivision when she noticed a man behind her.
The woman quickened her pace but the man continued to follow her for at least 350m before assaulting her at the corner of Parkside Drive and Puriri Boulevard.
Fergus said the woman ran down Parkside Drive and was uninjured but understandably shaken.
"It was a very frightening situation. This appears to be a random attack on a woman out simply getting some exercise and there is no place for this in our community.
"I want to reassure the Orewa community, particularly the many elderly residents of the Kensington Park area, that we are determined to find the person who has done this
The offender was described as being in the early 20s, tall and slender with a slim face, dark-skinned complexion, possibly of Asian/Indian/Middle Eastern ethnicity, short dark hair wearing a dark long-sleeved top, long pants and sneakers.
Fergus said CCTV footage is currently being reviewed and residents can expect to see more police patrols in the area.
We would like to hear from anyone else who lives in the area of Puriri Avenue, Centreway Road, West Hoe Road and Elizabeth Street and who has a CCTV camera and hasn't yet been spoken to by police.
Anyone who was in the Puriri Avenue area at around 9.15pm on Sunday night is also asked to contact police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Beth Bates of the Orewa police by calling 105.