Detectives are appealing for witnesses and information following a serious sexual assault on a woman as she walked home from work in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The woman was in Norton Road, near the BP petrol station and Mary Stevens Park, in Stourbridge at around 3.15am when she was grabbed by a man and assaulted. She bravely fought back and the attacker – a white male with a bald head believed to be in his 30s – made off in a black hatchback car.

Sergeant Stuart Platt from the force’s Public Protection Unit said the victim has provided a good description of the man and the car – and is urging anyone who believes they may know the offender to get in touch. He said:

“The woman was near an alleyway, just past the BP garage, when she was grabbed and forced onto a grass verge. She’s told us the car had distinctive alloy wheels, tinted windows and a loud exhaust.

“If anyone knows a white man, with a bald head, who has access to a black hatchback car matching that description, then I would ask them to make contact.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Midlands Police on 101, quoting crime number 20DY/136095N/19.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111; callers won’t be asked for their names and calls cannot be traced.