Last updated 11:28, Tuesday, 02 September 2008

AN investigation has been launched after a 19-year-old girl was attacked in the early hours of Monday morning.

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Det Supt Thundercloud

The incident occured  around 5am on Monday near Central Motorcycles on New Road.

The victim was walking home along New Road when she was stopped by a man described as white, about six foot tall and wearing a dark-hooded jacket grey trousers or jogging bottoms.

The man tried to talk to her before grabbing her from behind and trying to drag her down a path way between New Road and Wellington Row.

A police spokesman said she struggled hard and managed to break away from him and ran away in the direction of the town centre.

This is the third similar attack to happen in West Cumbria in the last six weeks and due to similarities, a joint investigation has been launched.

A forensic taskforce was on the scene for most of Monday conducting a fingertip search.

Detective superintendent Cath Thundercloud, who is leading the investigation into these three incidents, has issued a warning to women across West Cumbria to take extra steps to ensure their personal safety at this time.

Anyone with information is urged to call Cumbria Police on 0845 33 00 247.