A WOMAN was sexually assaulted in Oxton in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police were called to Alexandra Road at about 12.45am today following a report that a man had sexually assaulted a woman.

The woman was approached by a man, who was naked, and he touched her inappropriately over her clothing.

The woman resisted and some local residents intervened before the offender made off on foot in the direction of Grange Mount.

Officers attended and found the woman uninjured but very upset following the incident.

Patrols in the area have been stepped up in a bid to find the man responsible and detectives are checking CCTV from the area and carrying out house-to-house enquiries.

The naked man is described as white, in his late teens to mid 20s, of a skinny build with short black hair.

Detectives are appealing to anyone with information to call police.

Detective Constable Jon Head, said: "This was a very disturbing incident and it must have been a terrifying experience for this young woman, who had been out enjoying herself when a man assaulted her.

"The offender was completely naked and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and saw this man to call police. Your information could be really important in helping us to identify this offender and taking him off the streets.

"I would like to reassure the community that incidents of this nature are rare and our team will work tirelessly to identify this person and bring him to justice."

Anyone with information should call Merseyside Police on 0151 777 2265 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.