Alice Springs Detectives are calling for public assistance after a woman was sexually assaulted in Alice Springs overnight.

Detective Senior Sergeant Travis Wurst said a 21 year-old female was attacked at about 11.30 last night near the Bloomfield drainway.

“It is alleged the woman was walking south along Bloomfield Street towards the footbridge, adjacent to the main pedestrian lights on Telegraph Terrace, she turned left onto the footbridge passing the alleged offender who was walking in the opposite direction.

“The alleged offender has turned and followed the woman, catching up with her on Telegraph Terrace where he has allegedly forced her back into the drainway where she was assaulted.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Wurst said the assault occurred over a 20 – 30 minute timeframe before the woman was able to break away and flag down a passing vehicle who took the woman to Police.

“The offender was last seen fleeing on foot in the direction of the skate park.”

The offender is described as being of aboriginal appearance, medium build with a goatee beard and moustache.  He was wearing blue jeans, black bandana with a white design on the front and a black jumper with a white and black design on the front.

Police request that anyone who may have seen a person matching this description during the night or may have seen anything in the vicinity of the Bloomfield drainway around 11.30pm to contact them on 131 444 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 444.