WOMEN have been told to be on their guard after a man wearing boxer shorts sexually assaulted a woman in Watford.

The attack took place in St Albans Road at about 2am on Friday, April 14.

The victim, a woman in her 40s, was walking home towards the junction with Leavesden Road, past an estate agent shop, when a man grabbed her.

She managed to run off down Leavesden Road, but her attacker somehow got in front of her and jumped out from behind a parked white van.

He grabbed hold of her again and pushed her against the doorway of a house.

He then exposed himself to her and pushed himself up against her. She retaliated by kicking him in the shins and eventually he ran off. The man is described as being of Asian or Arab appearance, aged between 26 and 30.

He is between 5ft 7" and 5ft 10" tall, of muscular build, with a round, clean shaven face and a thin nose and lips.

He was wearing a pair of grey boxer shorts, a light coloured T-shirt, a hat covering his ears and socks but no shoes.

Anyone with information can telephone DC Adams on 01923 472428, the police non-emergency number, 0845 3300 222, or alternatively, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.