Police 'closing in' on Hamilton sexual assault attacker

Hamilton police say they are closing in on a person of interest in relation to an attack on a mother and her daughter in their Croall Cres home on Sunday. Phyoto / File

Police say they are "circling" a man who sexually assaulted a woman in her Hamilton home at the weekend.

The man also went on to assault the woman's daughter in their Croall Cres home between 7am and 7.45am on Sunday.

Officers yesterday confirmed they believed the attacker had visited the property several times before the attack.

Waikato Senior Sergeant Simon Cherry today said police were closing in on the suspect, when asked whether an arrest had been made.

"We're working towards it, we're not far away. We're circling a subject."

Cherry also wanted to reassure the community that officers were confident the attacker had targeted the property.

"We think there's less of a chance that this was a random attack."

Update Serious Incident - Croall Crescent, Hamilton

Enquiries continue following serious incident in Hamilton Hamilton Detectives continue to make enquiries following a serious incident in St Andrews over the weekend. Between 7 and 7.45am on Saturday, a woman was sexually assaulted and her young daughter physically assaulted at a Croall Crescent property. “At this stage we believe the man responsible for the attack had a particular interest in this address. There is an indication he may have visited the location a number of weeks prior to the assaults,” Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Anderson says. “I again ask that anyone with information about this man, or anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area on Saturday morning to please contact Police. “Family or friends of the man may have noticed some changes in his behaviour or demeanour over the past few days.” The man is described as: • Māori • Aged mid-20s • Stocky shoulders • No facial hair • Short hair (No.1 or No.2 cut) coloured black or brown • Wearing a red t shirt, black long pants and black shoes Information can also be provided anonymously by call Crimstoppers on 0800 555 111 or alternatively send us a private message. Thanks all, Jack #PolicingHamilton

Posted by Waikato Police on Monday, 9 April 2018

Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Anderson this afternoon confirmed they were still hunting for the suspect.

After the assaults, the man cut across neighbouring properties before running into the grounds of Hamilton Junior High School on Heath St.

He is described as Maori, in his mid-20s, short with stocky shoulders, clean-shaven with short dark hair.

He was wearing a red T-shirt, long black pants and black shoes.

Anderson said police were still keen to hear from anyone who lived in the vicinity of the school who may have noticed anything suspicious.

"Family or friends of the man may have noticed some changes in his behaviour or demeanour over the past few days."

Anyone with information can call Hamilton police on 07 858 6200, or crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.