Police in Spelthorne are appealing for information after a woman was grabbed in a graveyard in Stanwell just after midnight on Thursday 15 June.

The woman, who is in her twenties, had been out with friends and was making her way home from Ashford Railway station around 11.30pm on Wednesday 14 June. As she walked through the graveyard of St Mary the Virgin C of E Church on Church Approach just after midnight, she was approached from behind by a man who grabbed her. Luckily she was able to push him away and walked out of the graveyard.

The only description of the offender is that he was around 5ft 8” tall, of medium build and had short dark brown hair.

The victim has also stated that prior to the attack she walked passed two people, possibly a man and a woman, sitting on a bench in Hadrian Way just before the park. Officers would like to trace these two people as they may have seen someone following her or acting suspiciously.

PC Joseph Smith said: “Although the woman came to no physical harm, she is naturally very shaken by what happened. I would like to reassure residents that this appears to be an isolated incident and we are doing all we can to find this individual. I would urge anyone who might have information or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area to do the right thing and call us.”

Call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference number 45170063107. You can also use the online reporting system found at https://report.police.uk/ and enter the reference number in the ‘Additional information’ section.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.