A woman being assaulted by a man was rescued by a group of young men in central Christchurch early today.
Police said the 31-year-old woman approached by a man on Stanmore Road about 2am.
Detective Sergeant Leairne Dow, of Christchurch Central CIB, said the man pushed the woman into a reserve area on Stanmore Road, near the Worcester Street intersection, and assaulted her.
Three young men went to her aid and her assailant fled.
The attacker was described as European, around 40 to 45 years old, of stocky build with a pot belly. He had short dark hair and was wearing a black knee-length jacket and blue jeans.
Ms Dow said the victim was not physically injured, but was emotionally very upset.
Police want to speak to the young men who went to the woman's aid and to anyone with any information about the man or the incident.
"If we could talk to them (the young men) it would be brilliant, it might help us identify this guy," Ms Dow said.
