A CITY councillor has warned people to be cautious after a teenage girl was attacked by an unknown man in what is reportedly the latest in a spate of similar incidents.

Police say the man is believed to have approached the girl – in her late teens – and attempted to pull her to the ground as she was walking along Red Hill Lane.

The victim is said to have punched the man and ran away unhurt but was described as ‘shaken up’ following the assault at 8.45am on Sunday.

Councillor Louise Griffiths, who lives nearby on London Road, said police have told her it is the third incident in a short space of time involving a woman walking alone down the lane.

“The police and myself would warn people to exercise caution for the time being.

“I know school children use that street to get to Nunnery Wood and the sixth form college,” she said.

“I would just emphasise that they do not walk alone down there. It’s worrying because it was an attack in broad daylight on a well-used path – lots of cyclists and joggers also use it and it’s quite late in the morning when it’s happened, so I urge people to exercise a bit of caution.”

Cllr Griffiths, who has a young daughter, said she hopes there will also be an increased police presence following the attack.

Writing on Battenhall Community Facebook group on Monday, she said attempts were made to pull the girl into the bushes.

“Luckily, she managed to get away and run to some nearby houses, but this could have been much worse.”

“The police are urging caution when walking down here, so if you or your daughter, wife or partner etcetera uses the lane regularly please make sure you’re not alone.”

There was a heavy police presence in Red Hill and Battenhall on Sunday and police are still appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Inspector Jamie Francis said: “Thankfully the victim was not seriously injured but I would like to again reassure the community that we take all reports of this nature extremely seriously.

“We are keen for anyone who saw the incident or who was in the area between 8am and 9.30am this morning to please come forward.”

“Any information, no matter how small, could be significant to our investigation.”

The attacker is described as being white, of average build, around 5ft 11in tall, in his early to mid-20s, with short brown hair slightly longer than a buzz cut.

He was thought to be wearing a blue football-type shirt with a motif on the chest, which was navy in colour with lighter blue sleeves, at the time.

Detective Inspector Chris Percival said: “These sorts of incidents are rare in Worcester city.

"The police would ask the public if they hear anything about who the offender might be or if anyone saw anything at the time to contact Worcester CID on 101 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“When there’s a case of this nature police will review previous offending in the geographical area to see if there are any linked offences.

"At the moment we’re keeping an open mind. We would commend the victim’s bravery.”

He said no arrests have yet been made in connection with the attack.

Call 101, quoting incident 195S of July 15.