POLICE are warning women to be cautious as they hunt a sex attacker who seriously assaulted a woman in Pontypool.

A woman in her 30s was attacked in a Griffithstown car park at around 11pm on Wednesday, February 1.

Local people, who know the victim, have said that she had been at The Hanbury Pub and had gone to the Co-op shop at around 9.50pm to buy cigarettes before returning to the pub.

She left to make her way home, but was attacked in a car park, which is thought to be close to her house.

Local residents watched on this week as police officers carried out forensic investigations at the site in the Clifton Square area.

Detective Inspector Steve Corcoran, of Pontypool Police said: "This is a very serious sexual assault and, while we do not want women to be unduly alarmed, I would urge women to be extra vigilant and to avoid walking alone at night."

Griffithstown councillor Kathleen Williams said the incident was 'frightening' for many local women.

"After this latest incident I would urge police to step up patrols in our area too as we never see them here. We have a lot of anti-social crime and now with this maybe they will put more officers in this area," she said. "I would definitely advise girls not to walk on their own at night.

"It's really quite frightening. Any woman should be careful on her own even in the day.

"During the winter months the canal paths are also quiet and I wouldn't want to walk there alone, even during the day," she added.

The offender is described as being in his forties, between five feet six inches and five feet eight inches tall with a medium to stocky build and a pronounced beer belly.

He is said to have a 'spiky' nose, is clean shaven with white or grey spiky hair.

He is believed to have been wearing blue denim jeans and a dark waist length jacket.

A Photofit picture of the attacker is printed above.

Gwent Police is appealing for any witnesses to the incident to contact them on 01633 838111 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.