A WOMAN WAS reportedly seriously assaulted by a man who told her he would help her find a taxi in the early hours of this morning.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses following a report of the serious assault this morning in the Damascus Street area of south Belfast.

The PSNI said a 21-year-old woman was waiting for a taxi in Damascus Street at around 3.30am when a male approached her and told her he would escort her to a taxi depot round the corner.

However, on the way there he pushed her into an alleyway in the area of Fitzwilliam Square and assaulted her. The woman screamed, causing a resident to look out and shout, and the assailant ran off down an alleyway.

The attacker is described as about 5ft 7 or 8ins tall, slim, with a local accent. He was wearing a hooded top, dark tracksuit bottoms and trainers and aged in his late teens or early 20s.

Detectives in Serious Crime Branch are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the assault, saw the assailant making off or who has any information about the assault. They can be reached on 0845 600 8000.

Alternatively, information may be passed on anonymously via the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.