A TEENAGE girl was attacked and threatened with a knife during a nasty incident on a Netherton canal towpath.

The 17 year-old was walking near to Dunns Bridge on St Peters Road around 11am on Saturday December 8, when a man, described as being in his thirties, grabbed her from behind.

She was threatened with the knife and assaulted, but managed to escape when her attacker was disturbed by a passerby.

Her attacker is described as black, of a muscular build and around 6ft tall. It is believed he was wearing green camouflage trousers and a black woolly hat.

Acting Detective Inspector Andy Fennell, from Dudley investigation team, said: “This was a very frightening ordeal for the young woman and we are hoping that the member of public who disturbed the attack will come forward and furnish us with further details that may aid our investigation.

“Although a very serious incident we would like to make it clear that we believe this is an isolated incident and crimes of this nature are rare within the locality.

“The attacker spoke with a local accent and may frequent the local bus system – we are appealing to anyone that may recognise the description and who may have a name for the man to speak to us.”

Anyone with information should contact Acting DI Andy Fennell by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.