Shock in Pinehurst as police hunt attacker who dragged woman into bushes

The woman noticed a man following her as she walked up Pinehurst Road and Crosskeys Avenue, then ran into Hillary Close to evade him.

He ambushed her in the park between that street and Inglesham Close, grabbing her hair and trying to drag her into the undergrowth.

He fled after she hit him with her handbag.

Coun Marilyn Beale is part of Central Swindon North Parish Council, which covers both Penhill and Pinehurst.

She represents Penhill and said: "It's awful, I'm sorry to hear about this, it must have been very scary for her. I hope the police catch whoever is responsible and that the woman recovers from the shock of it.

"I use the same route quite often, but I would not be happy to walk anywhere around the park on my own in the dark, it's not lit up there or on the playing fields, though I can't recall anything like this happening in that area before.

"Pinehurst Road is well lit and the Whitworth Road crossing is well-lit. Perhaps it's best to keep to the lit streets, though of course you should be able to walk anywhere in perfect safety."

Parish council colleague Coun William Stone represents Pinehurst. He said: "It's a horrendous incident. No-one should ever feel unsafe while walking through any area or go through something like this.

"Pinehurst is not an unsafe place, these incidents are fairly rare and I hope this one is an isolated incident.

"I would not want people to be scared but would suggest taking precautions."

Coun John Ballman added: “This is a very serious incident and one hopes the police will thoroughly investigate and get to the bottom of it."

Police are investigating and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the attack in the early hours of Sunday morning or who has any other helpful information. Call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.