A WOMAN was grabbed from behind during a "traumatic" attempted rape in a children's park on Monday night.

The victim, who is in her 20s, was walking in Sherborn open space near the junction of Verity Crescent and Adastral Road, Canford Heath, at around 8pm.

She was then approached from behind by a man who grabbed her around the waist and put a hand over her mouth.

The victim elbowed the man in his stomach to release herself from his grip. She then turned and kicked him between his legs.

As he fell on his knees, she ran away.

The offender is described as white, five feet seven inches tall and of medium build.

He had dark hair, which was longer at the front, and was wearing black trainers, blue jeans, a grey hooded top and a black scarf. The victim said he smelled of alcohol.

Detective Sergeant Andy Haworth, of Bournemouth CID, said: "This was an understandably traumatic incident for the victim and she is being supported by specially-trained officers. A detailed investigation is now underway."

He called for anyone who may have witnessed a man acting suspiciously in the area at the time to come forward.

"We have been making various enquiries since the incident, including investigating the scene, house-to-house enquiries and checking the availability of CCTV," he added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55180048826.