Men attack woman fetching washing from line

Police in Palmerston North are hunting for two offenders after a woman was attacked as she retrieved washing from her clothesline in her back yard last night.

Detective Constable Matt Akuhata said the woman was grabbed around the neck from behind and the scarf she was wearing wrapped around her head and eyes.

She was then dragged by her feet towards a shed on the Exeter St property but managed to struggle free and yell for help.

"The offenders then ran off and were observed by the victim climbing over a rear boundary fence into a property that faces onto Featherston St," Mr Akuhata said.

He said although not hurt, the victim was left shaken and traumatised by the 10pm attack.

The motive was not known and police urged anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area last night to contact them.

- NZPA