POLICE are appealing for information and witnesses following an assault in Chelmsford.

Around 6.40am on Saturday January 28 a woman in her twenties was walking along the footpath by Riverside Retail Park. Shortly after she crossed the footbridge and was continuing to walk along the footpath, an unidentified man approached her from behind and grabbed her, causing both of them to fall to the ground.

The unidentified man kept hold of the woman as they fell, and she screamed loudly. The man then released her, and the woman ran off. As she looked back, the woman saw the man walking off in the direction of the footbridge. She was shocked by the assault, but suffered no visible injuries.

The unidentified suspect is described as a white man aged probably in his mid- to late-20s, of thin or skinny build, around 6’ tall, wearing a black wool hat.

If you were in the area on the early morning of January 28, and saw the incident in question, or saw a man behaving suspiciously, please contact Chelmsford police station, where the investigating officer is Pc Elizabeth Young, on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.