12 Nov 2019

Three women assaulted in Auckland's North Shore in two months

5:16 pm on 12 November 2019

Last week a woman was assaulted while jogging in Browns Bay on Auckland's North Shore.

Woman runner showing feet and running shoes on track or road.

Photo: 123rf

On Friday 8 November at around 4.40pm, the woman in her mid-20's was on a track between Browns Bay Rd and Beechwood Rd when she was assaulted from behind by a man.

As a result, she received moderate injuries, and the man fled on foot into Beechwood Rd.

"Police are appealing for sightings of a male described as Māori, mid-'20s, around 5' 10" tall and overweight."

The man was wearing a baseball cap and a dark short-sleeved top.

Waitemata East area investigations manager Detective Senior Sergeant Callum McNeill said the incident follows two similar incidents last month.

"Two women were assaulted on the clifftop track between Murrays Bay and Rothesay Bay."

The incidents occurred on the mornings of Thursday 10 October and Thursday 24 October, and both victims were injured.

Mr McNeill said these incidents were being treated seriously and police presence in the area had been increased.

"These incidents all occurred in daylight on popular sections of walking tracks and we believe there are members of the public who would have been in the area at these times and may have seen suspicious activity or a male fitting this description.

"We are investigating the possibility that these incidents are linked."

He encouraged those exercising alone "to be alert and aware of your surroundings".

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Waitemata Police on 105 and quote file number 191108/3003 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.