A SEX attacker followed a woman off a late night bus and assaulted her in a “pitch black” Bournemouth street.

The man, in his 30s, engaged his victim in conversation before assaulting her in Woodbury Avenue, near the Townsend estate on Saturday night.

It is thought he had travelled on the number three Yellow Bus at the same time as the young woman.

The frightening incident is the second late-night sex attack in Bournemouth in two weeks.

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Strouden Avenue on July 31.

Now police have launched an appeal for witnesses and information about the latest incident, which left the woman “shocked and distressed”.

The local woman, in her 20s, was not injured in the incident, which took place between 11.30pm on Saturday August 10 and 12.15am on Sunday August 11.

Residents in the road have spoken of their concern following the assault, with many saying the street is too dark.

Kelly Sansome, 23, said: “I was here Saturday night, but I didn’t hear or see anything.

“It’s just so scary and disgusting to think it’s happened here. I was so shocked when the police posted a letter to us about it today. I don’t think the end of the road is very well lit at all.”

David Bicknell, 76, said the incident was “rare” for the area.

“I think we could do with some more lights by B&Q,” he said.

“The road is also quite overgrown with trees and hedges, so it’s very dark at night.”

Roy Upward, 85, said the street light opposite Strouden Park Chapel had not been working for around three weeks.

“It’s pitch black at night,” he said.

“It’s not very nice walking down here at night.”

Detective Constable Angela Mills of Bournemouth CID said: “I would like to reassure the public that this was an isolated occurrence.”

The offender is described as a man with dark skin, aged between 30 and 40, around 5ft 6ins tall and of slim build. He has black hair which is curled around the edges and spoke with a foreign accent. He was wearing a red chequered short-sleeve shirt.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 11:17 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

A man arrested in connection with the alleged rape last month has been questioned and released on police bail pending further inquiries.