In 2026, North Yorkshire Police launched an investigation and appealed for public assistance following a sexual assault by touching committed on The Stray in Harrogate.
The offence took place during the evening of Sunday 6 September 2026 at approximately 8:30 PM. According to investigating officers, a female pedestrian was walking across the open parkland of The Stray, situated between Knaresborough Road and Wetherby Road, when an unidentified male runner approached her from behind. As he passed her, the suspect carried out a sexual assault by touching before sprinting away towards the direction of Wetherby Road.
Officers commenced an immediate area search and initiated inquiries to establish the identity of the runner. Police released a detailed description of the suspect based on witness accounts:
White male
Tall with a skinny build
Dressed in athletic gear consisting of shorts, a blue or green running jacket, and a white baseball cap
North Yorkshire Police are urging motorists who were travelling along Knaresborough Road, Wetherby Road, or adjacent residential routes at around 8:30 PM on 6 September to review dashcam footage for any runner matching the description. Local residents with private CCTV or video doorbells bordering The Stray are also requested to check their recordings.
Anyone with information that could assist in identifying the offender is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police online via their web portal, by emailing PC Sarah Moore at Sarah.Moore@northyorkshire.police.uk, or by telephoning 101 and requesting PC 957 Moore, quoting crime reference number 12260175247.
Disclosures can also be submitted with complete confidentiality through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Image – Google Maps
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