Sexual assault investigation launched as woman found unresponsive in Sunderland

Detectives are now appealing for any witnesses to come forward after Northumbria Police attended King Henry Court in the Downhill area of Sunderland.

A woman was found unresponsive by a member of the public and emergency services were subsequently called to the scene around 1pm on Tuesday, November 3.

Inquiries into the circumstances that led to the woman being found are ongoing but police believe she is the victim of a sexual assault.

She has not suffered any serious physical injuries but is very shaken. She is currently being supported by specialist officers.

Today – Thursday, November 5 – the force has appealed for the public’s help and asked anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Cairns said: “We are treating this incident seriously and officers are carrying out a range of inquiries in the area to ascertain what has happened.

“I am now appealing to anyone who saw anything unusual on Tuesday morning and up to lunchtime to get in touch.

“Equally, if you have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the King Henry Court area in recent days, either hanging around on foot or in a vehicle, we want to hear from you.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log 440 031120.

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