COPS have launched a hunt for a gang wearing balaclavas after a woman reportedly had a knife held to her neck before being sexually assaulted.
The victim was walking between Old Run View and West Grange Road in Leeds just before 11am on Monday morning when the incident occurred, police said.
As she walked along the pathway in the Belle Isle area of the city, she was approached by four masked males on two electric bikes, West Yorkshire Police said.
A knife was allegedly held to her neck before she was sexually assaulted during the “horrific incident”.
All four men, who were wearing black balaclavas and clothing, fled the scene shortly after, cops said.
The offence follows five other racially aggravated harassments or assaults against the same woman in the same area reported to the police.
It is believed the same group of men is involved in all occasions.
Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Freeman of Leeds District’s Safeguarding Unit said: “We are appealing for information about these incidents and the four males we believe were involved in them.
“This was a particularly horrific incident for the victim to endure and clearly shows an escalating pattern of targeted behaviour.
“That’s why I’m urging anyone in the community who has information about the people involved to get in contact with us.”
He added: “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.”
Cops urged witnesses to use crime reference number 13250703697 when contacting the police
