POLICE are warning people walking through a town park to be on their guard after a terrifying indecent assault in broad daylight.

A 43-year-old woman was attacked near an entrance to Congleton Park on Friday as she was on her way home.

She managed to push her attacker away before running into the park and shouting for help.

The woman was very shocked and distressed by the incident, although she was not injured.

"The woman had been visiting someone in the area around Dane Valley High School, and was walking home at 1.30pm when she was indecently assaulted," said Det Con Janet Moore-Blundell.

"She was halfway along the footpath from Varey Road to the park when a man asked her for directions. He grabbed the woman before committing an indecent assault on her, which left her deeply upset.

"This was a serious incident in broad daylight, it's not what you expect in a town centre park."

DC Moore-Blundell said police did not want to advise people to stop walking through the park, but urged those using it to take care.

"People should be wary, and not put themselves in a situation where they are walking alone along a footpath."

The man police are seeking is white, late 20s, six foot tall, stockily built, with a 'thick' neck. He was suntanned, and had short, dark brown hair, stubble and a square jaw.

He was wearing sunglasses, a navy baseball cap, blue grey V-neck sweater, navy Adidas tracksuit bottoms, blue, white and yellow trainers, and was carrying a marron bag.

Anyone who can help the police should ring Congleton CID on 01244-613533.

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