A WOMAN in her 60s was sexually assaulted while walking her dog in Ferndown.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information after an incident at around 8.30am on Saturday, March 8.

A spokesperson said the victim was sexually assaulted while out with her dog along the Riverside Walk, in West Moors.

“It is reported that the victim was approached by the male offender, who engaged her in conversation before kissing her on the lips without her consent,” they said.

The man is described as white and aged in his 70s. He is around 5ft 11 inches tall and of medium build. He has short brown and grey hair and he was wearing a blue short-sleeved T-shirt, red shorts – described by the victim as ‘sun-bleached’ – and red, soft leather boating shoes.

PC Tom Bailey, of Dorset Police, said: “This incident left the victim feeling very distressed and violated and we are continuing to conduct enquiries as we seek to establish the full circumstances of what happened.

“We are appealing for any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please come forward.

“Following enquiries made locally, we have reason to believe a key witness was walking in the area at around 8.20am and I am very keen to hear from them as to whether they may have seen or heard anything which may aid our investigation.

“I would also ask motorists driving in the area of the A31 or the B3072 Station Road around the time the incident occurred to please review their dashcam footage to see if they have captured anything of relevance.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55250033172. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.