Wiltshire Police has announced it will be carrying out visible patrols in a residential area in Melksham after a woman was sexually assaulted in public.

The assault took place at around 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 12 near Cranesbill Road in Melksham when a woman was approached by a man she did not know.

The woman had just crossed Cranesbill Road and walked over a bridge into the nature area when a man approached and touched her inappropriately over her clothes before fleeing the scene.

But the suspect, who has been described as a 5 foot 8 inches tall man wearing a dark-coloured hoodie and grey jogging bottoms, is still on the loose which has raised significant concerns.

Patrols are being carried out in the vicinity of Blueberry Road in Melksham and in the surrounding estate over the coming week.

"This was a really concerning incident and it's vital that anyone who was in the area at the time who could have potentially witnessed what took place should contact us as a matter of urgency," said Inspector Liam Winstone of Wiltshire Police.

"We are also asking anyone with doorbell or dash cam footage to make themselves known to us.

"If you have any information you would like to pass on, please do approach the uniformed officers for a chat.

"You can also contact us on 101 or email TrowbridgeAreaNPT@wiltshire.police.uk quoting log 54240029103."