A WOMAN has been sexually assaulted on an Albury bike track, with police appealing for information to track down the man responsible.
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The 20-year-old victim told police she had been walking alone on the track between Kiewa and Jones Street on Saturday.
She told officers a man stopped in front of her about 4.30pm and refused to let her pass.
He then indecently assaulted her.
The woman managed to break free and fled the scene before contacting the police.
Officers have appealed for information to track down the man, who is aged between 50 and 70.
He was wearing a black beanie, navy blue jacket, long dark pants, and is about 175 centimetres tall of skinny build.
The man was clean shaven with grey hair, and is said to have “squinty eyes".
Jones Street Take Away owner Andrea Storm said the paths in the area were poorly lit.
She said the area was often frequented by suspect people.
“It's a bit scary,” she said of Saturday's attack.
“A lot of women run by themselves when it's dark.
“It's something that was going to happen for a long time.”
Ms Storm said she had watched a drug addict shoot up while sitting on a bench on a path next to the Bungambrawatha Creek.
“There are a lot of people who hang around there – I look out the window all day,” she said.
"We've been waiting for something like this to happen.”
Ms Storm said business next to the takeaway store had security cameras.
“The bike path is sheltered,” she said.
“It's in a dark area.
“It's not very well lit at night.”
The paths are popular with walkers and bike riders.
Ms Storm said people often walked the paths to get to the Star Hotel.
The Albury region has a far higher rate of sex offences reported to police than the stat average.
Crime statistics show the city had a rate of 272 offences per 100,000 residents, compared to 160 for the rest of the state.
Police recorded 141 sexual offences in the year to March, up from 126 for the previous 12 month period.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact police on (02) 6023 9299 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.