Urgent hunt for man in vest after woman sexually assaulted and mugged in alleyway as cops release CCTV

POLICE have released CCTV as part of an urgent hunt for a man in a vest after a woman was sexually assaulted and mugged in an alleyway.

Officers said the woman was assaulted and had her purse stolen in the incident in an alleyway off Lord Street in Blackpool, Lancashire last month.

They now wish to speak to a man, pictured with cropped dark hair and wearing a black vest, in connection with the alleged attack that took place on Saturday, December 14 at around 11.30pm.

The force said anyone who recognises the man pictured in the CCTV footage is urged to come forward.

Lancashire Constabulary has launched an investigation to find the individual responsible for the alleged assault and robbery.

In a statement, Blackpool Police said: "Do you recognise this man?

"We want to trace him as part of our enquiries into a sexual assault and robbery which happened in Blackpool last month.

"A woman was assaulted and had her purse stolen in an alleyway off Lord Street, at around 11.30pm on Saturday 14th December.

"An investigation has been ongoing since then, and now we are asking for your help to identify the man in the images.

"If you recognise him or have information about what happened, please contact 101 – quoting log 1391 of 14th December 2024 – or email 5290@lancashire.police.uk."