Wellington Police investigating alleged sexual assault last night

Wellington Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault which occurred in Seatoun last night.

Officer in charge of the Wellington City CIB Detective Inspector Paul Basham says around 10pm, a woman aged in her early twenties, was walking along Ludlam Street, near St Anthony's School, where she was grabbed from behind and dragged a short distance before being sexually assaulted.

"Police attended the scene and began a scene examination soon after the incident and a Police dog picked up a track, however the offender was not located. The scene examination is likely to be completed later today and an area canvas is underway."

The victim was left traumatised as a result of the incident and is yet to be fully interviewed by Police staff, however she has described the offender as a dark-skinned male, possibly in his early twenties, wearing a khaki-coloured top with a hood and a black beanie.

Detective Inspector Basham says Police would like to hear from anyone in the Eastern Suburbs last night who may have seen or heard anyone or anything suspicious.

"Police want to reassure the Seatoun community that this incident is being treated seriously and a number of staff and resources are being put into locating this offender, which, with the help of the public, we are very confident of doing."

He says this sexual assault is being treated as an isolated incident at this stage and Police are urging Seatoun residents not to be alarmed but to take the usual safety precautions as they would normally.

Anyone with any information should contact Wellington Police on (04) 381 2000 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.