A man indecently assaulted a woman in Queenstown just a week after an abuse prevention charity reported an increase in sexual assaults in the area.
The woman had finished her shift in a Queenstown bar just before midnight on Sunday and left to walk home alone after talking to friends in the street.
A man approached the woman from the public phone boxes outside the Night ’n Day store in Camp St and propositioned her as she walked past.
The woman tried to avoid the man and carried on walking, before going into Night ’n Day to buy something in the hope he would stop following her.
Several minutes after she left the store, he followed her along Hotops Rise with his hood up and grabbed at her as she walked past Queenstown Resort College.
When she verbally challenged him about him indecently touching her, the man ran back towards Camp St.
Queenstown police are seeking information from the public after the incident and will continue to look at CCTV footage.
The incident comes after Jigsaw Central Lakes manager Tina Mongston said last week the charity was dealing with an increasing number of sexual assault cases.
Ms Mongston attributed the rising number of cases to Queenstown’s growing population, which she said naturally led to increased crime rates.
Sergeant Steven Watt said it was important to keep an eye on your friends when out late at night in the town.
‘‘Look after your mates when you’re out in the town and if you do feel unsafe, then stay where you are and call the police.
‘‘Please get in touch if you have any information that could help our investigation.’’
The man is described as about 182cm tall, Caucasian, and of slim build, with blonde hair.
He was wearing tan-coloured pants and a black hooded jacket.
-By Joshua Walton
-Detective Lisa Watt, Queenstown police, (03)441-1600; Crimestoppers 0800555-111
