POLICE are investigating after a woman was reportedly attacked from behind outside a community hub in Worcester.

Hayley Price from Worcester posted on Facebook following the alleged attack, which took place in the early hours on Sunday, March 1, outside Warndon Community Centre.

She said her attacker, who she described as being a man who was dressed in all black clothing and had his face covered, put his arm around her neck and attempted to drag her away.

She posted on Facebook: “Just wanting to put a warning out there to all women and young girls in the early hours of Sunday morning after being out I was attacked from behind by a man that was dressed in all black clothing and his face covered.

“He put his arm around my neck and tried to drag me off, but I fought back so hard and luckily got him off me and he ran over the field.

“I don’t want this to happen to anybody else so please be careful when walking through Warndon Community Centre when it’s dark and please don’t walk through there alone.

“Please be careful and safe as the next person he tries this on might not be as lucky as I was.”

City and county Councillor Ceri Stalker, who represents Warndon, used money from her divisional funds to install lights last November on the centre’s car park as part of a scheme to encourage residents to take part in activities at the hub.

Cllr Stalker said: "This is really sad to hear about what happened to this lady. If the lights were on at the time perhaps this never would have happened."

Cllr Jo Hodges, who also represents the area, said: “It’s an unusual thing to happen in Warndon. That sort of thing can happen anywhere in the city.

“The lights were installed in the car park to help people feel safe and to help them get to their cars, especially during dark winter nights.

“The residents and users of the community centre have been very grateful after the light installation.”

Cllr Hodges added: “I have always advised my daughters and granddaughters to walk in a group and stick together. Generally, if you are out walking where there’s no one about and you are going somewhere lonely, I would personally think you would be safer in a group.

“However, that said, everyone has the right to move where they like without being attacked – there should be no victim blame.”

Ruth Heywood, chief executive of Worcester Community Trust - the charity which manages Warndon Community Centre - confirmed police visited the centre to view CCTV footage after receiving a report of the assault.

She said: “Police came to Warndon Community Centre to view the CCTV, however there was nothing on the footage which showed the assault.

“The new night lights in the car park are absolutely fantastic and have made a massive difference to local residents. The feel of the place is a lot more positive.

“Unfortunately, we had no conclusive evidence to suggest that anything happened.”

Police have confirmed that a report was received by officers to an assault on Sunday March 1 in Shap Drive, Warndon.

If you saw anything in relation to the attack or have CCTV footage which could help officers with the investigation, call 101 and quote reference number 0460s of March 1, 2020.