A WOMAN was sexually assaulted in a field in Bournemouth at the weekend.

Police have called for anyone with information to come forward after the assault, which happened off Yeomans Way, on Saturday shortly after 9pm.

The victim, a local woman aged in her 30s, was taken to hospital for treatment.

A cordon was put in place while officers and crime scene investigators examined the scene.

Detective Inspector Andy Bell, of Bournemouth CID, said: “An investigation is now underway with house-to-house enquiries being conducted and specially-trained officers supporting the victim.

“We do not currently have a description of the offender but I would appeal to anyone who was in the Yeomans Way area at the time and saw or heard anything suspicious to please contact Dorset Police.”

Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be carrying out high-visibility patrols in the coming days to reassure the community and can be approached with any concerns. Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting 21:401.

Residents in the Yeomans Way area said they witnessed a lot of police activity late into the night on Saturday and were shocked by the nature of the incident.

Pat Parker, Homewatch co-ordinator for neighbouring Holbury Close, said: “We had a knock on the door on Saturday evening.

“A police officer asked if we had heard anything, but we hadn’t.

“We were in the conservatory just metres away from where it occurred.

“After they left we could see police in the field from our window with torches searching for something.

“I’ve spoken to some neighbours and they are really worried.

“It did look quite serious and they were there all through the night.

“I really hope the woman is okay.”

Jose Nobrega, resident of Setley Gardens, said: “It’s quite a nice area. I’ve been here five years and never heard of any problems down here.

“I heard from a neighbour that there had been some kind of attack and it is shocked me.

“We take the kids to play here and it’s always really calm - I’m concerned now.”

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said they saw a lot of police activity in the field.

“It was all cordoned off down in the field and there was police going round it with torches.

“There are no lights around that area, so at night it is completely pitch black.”