Girl assaulted near Park Prewett

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after an assault in Basingstoke on Sunday, May 10.

At around 7.30pm a 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl were playing around as they walked through the woods near the A339 on the Park Prewett side.

While they were in the woods the 16-year-old was grabbed on the arm by a man who then ripped off her necklace and threw it to the ground.

The victim picked up her necklace and ran off.

The man is described as wearing all black clothes, black gloves and a black balaclava.

Detective Constable Rebecca Martinez, of Basingstoke CID, said: “This assault happened in a normally quiet wooded area and anyone who was out walking may have heard or seen something.

“We would ask any witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to contact police as soon as possible.”

Hampshire Constabulary offers the following Safer Streets advice: 

• You will be safest in bright, well lit and busy areas. Avoid taking routes that take you through unlit or unpopulated areas.
• Try to look and act confident – look like you know where you are going. 
• Try to keep valuables out of sight and do not advertise to criminals that you have items of value on you.
• Report the incident to police. It is important for the police to build up an accurate picture of where crimes are occurring so they can try to prevent them.