Police are hunting four men wearing black balaclavas who allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at knifepoint in Leeds on Monday morning, in what detectives describe as an escalating pattern of racially aggravated attacks against the same victim
Police are on the hunt for a gang of masked men following a series of horrifying incidents, including a woman being threatened with a knife and sexually assaulted.
The victim was walking between Old Run View and West Grange Road in Leeds just before 10.50am on Monday, December 8, when she was approached by four men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, riding two electric bikes, according to West Yorkshire Police, before making their escape from the scene, Daily Star reports.
“The offence follows five other incidents of harassment or assault reported to police and believed to be racially aggravated, which have taken place against the same victim in and around the same area over the past month,” the statement read.
“It is believed that the same group of males were involved on all occasions.”
The previous incidents all occurred during daylight hours, with the first incident taking place between 3pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday, November 12, West Yorkshire Police said.
Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Freeman of Leeds District’s Safeguarding Unit has issued an appeal for information about the incidents and the four males believed to be involved.
“This was a particularly horrific incident for the victim to endure and clearly shows an escalating pattern of targeted behaviour,” Freeman said.
She urged anyone with information or CCTV footage of the incidents to get in touch with the police. Det Chief Inspector Freeman further implored: “If you have CCTV footage of the incidents or know anything about what has taken place, I would ask you to please get in contact.
“This is a serious incident, and we want to know who these males are or might be. We are interested in knowing any information about individuals riding e-bikes while wearing masks or balaclavas around Belle Isle.”
Anyone with information should contact West Yorkshire Police by dialling 101 or visit https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/LiveChat quoting reference 13250703697.
Alternatively, ring independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
