Police are appealing to the public for help in identifying a man who attacked a woman as she was walking home from the Casino this morning.

Police said the 40-year-old woman flagged down a taxi on Gilruth Avenue after she was attacked opposite the Botanical Gardens around 3.30am. The woman told police she was set upon by a man who then wrestled her to the ground and tried to drag her into some bushes. She managed to fight him off and he fled.

The man is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, about 175 cm tall and in his early to mid 20s. He has short dark curly hair and was wearing a blue shirt and dark blue jeans. He also had a white bandage on his left wrist and was carrying a small black backpack.

Detective Acting Sergeant Mark Bland said police were appealing to anyone who may have been in the area where the attack took place to contact them urgently. Anyone with information should phone police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

He also said police were becoming increasingly concerned about the number of women who were being targeted in the early hours of the morning.

"We are simply appealing to women especially to take extra care and not leave themselves vulnerable by walking alone at night," Det. A/Sergeant Bland said.

"This is the second such incident in the last week, and while the two are not connected it still highlights the risks taken by lone females at night.

"If you must walk or jog in the early hours of the morning, make sure you are accompanied by someone else, or simply don't go. These offenders are by nature predatory and opportunistic and target those females who are vulnerable by being alone and isolated at night."

Media contact:
Theresa Kuilboer
(08) 89223531
0437 293 609