Police have launched a hunt for four masked males after a woman said she had a knife placed to her neck before being sexually assaulted.
The victim was walking between Old Run View and West Grange Road at 10.50am on Monday when the incident occurred, West Yorkshire Police said.
As she walked along the pathway in the Belle Isle area of Leeds, she claimed she was approached by four masked males on two electric bikes.
A knife was reportedly placed to her neck before she was sexually assaulted. Afterwards, all four men, who were wearing black balaclavas and clothing, fled the scene.
It comes after five incidents of harassment or assault against the same victim in the same area have been reported to the police over the past month.
The force believes the same group of men were involved in all occasions, and that the incidents are racially aggravated.
The previous incidents all took place at around 9am or in the early afternoon, with the first occurring between 3pm and 3.30pm on November 12.
Leeds South Neighbourhood Policing team have since upped their patrols in the areas in a bid to reassure locals.
Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Freeman of Leeds District’s Safeguarding Unit said: ‘We are appealing for information about these incidents and the four males we believe were involved in them.
‘This was a particularly horrific incident for the victim to endure and clearly shows an escalating pattern of targeted behaviour.
‘That’s why I’m urging anyone in the community who has information about the people involved to get in contact with us.’
Det Chief Inspector Freeman added: ‘If you have CCTV footage of the incidents or know anything about what has taken place, I would ask you to please get in contact.
‘This is a serious incident, and we want to know who these males are or might be. We are interested in knowing any information about individuals riding e-bikes while wearing masks or balaclavas around Belle Isle.’
The force has urged anyone with information to contact them by calling 101 or via their live chat and quoting reference 13250703697.
Alternatively, those who wish to remain anonymous, can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
