A manhunt is underway after a woman was sexually assaulted on The Rye in High Wycombe.

Detectives are currently searching for a cyclist who followed the female pedestrian and touched her inappropriately over her clothes, earlier this week.

Moments before the shocking attack, the offender was seen cycling towards the victim, a woman in her twenties.

After passing her, he turned around and followed her along the towpath on The Rye by the river which runs alongside London Road at around 8.25am on Tuesday.

Investigating officer PC Alexandria Allman, from High Wycombe police station, said: “While this was obviously very upsetting for the victim, this is also quite unusual for the area.

“We would urge anyone who was on or near the towpath yesterday morning and recognises the description of the cyclist to call 101 as a matter of urgency.”

The offender is described as Asian, medium build, around 5ft 10ins, with a black moustache and beard and black hair.

He was wearing a navy hooded top with the hood up and dark tracksuit bottoms and trainers which looked loose-fitting. He was riding a dark coloured bicycle.

Earlier this year residents were left concerned after a series of exposures on The Rye.

In just six days in June, four women reported being the victims of sexual offences in the area – with a man exposing himself to them all on each occasion, while also attempting to grab two of them.

It is not believed that the incidents in June are connected to the latest sex attack.

If you have any information contact police on 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org