Updated - Attempted Rape in Thornaby

Update on investigation into attempted rape, Thornaby, on Monday 6th July 2015 from Detective Inspector Matt Murphy-King, Cleveland Police:

"After reviewing the initial information in this investigation, we believe the attack happened around 9am yesterday morning. It was reported to police just after 10am when the victim had managed to run from the scene and inform someone, who then contacted Cleveland Police.

The lady has now been released from hospital where she was treated for head and facial injuries and bruising. She is currently being supported by her partner and family, as well as specially trained officers as she comes to term with what happened.

Following my initial appeal yesterday we had a good amount of calls from members of the public. I would like to thank them for getting in touch and to say that the information they have provided has given us a number of valuable leads to follow up.

I would encourage anyone else who was in the area near the River Tees at Thornaby - and who may have information - to contact us. Please do contact Cleveland Police on 101 or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can also pass information on via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

I am particularly keen for a lady seen near the duck pond with her Alsatian dog to contact me as I believe she was in the area before and after the attack. She may well have seen something which could help.

Other regular dog walkers, joggers or people fishing, as well as local residents may also have seen something out of the ordinary, a suspicious person in that area in the hours or even days leading up to yesterday’s attack.

At present I can confirm we are treating this as an isolated incident though of course we will look to see if there could be any link with any other sexual assaults recently reported to us.

I would stress that such attacks by strangers are very rare and I do not want people to be unduly alarmed. That said, I would repeat my advice for people planning to walk in secluded areas to take the usual precautions ie to be aware of their surroundings, to be vigilant and to perhaps go with another person.

We do have extra neighbourhood officers in the area at the moment and I would encourage residents to speak to them about any concerns, or indeed to pass on any information which could help in this investigation.

I also have a dedicated team of officers working on this inquiry - who are determined to apprehend the man responsible and bring him to justice. My message to him is that it is only a matter of time before we find you and I am absolutely committed to doing so."