DETECTIVES today started a manhunt for a rapist who attacked a 17-year-old girl in a Bradford park.

The attack happened at about 1.30pm yesterday as she walked home through Bowling Park and was dragged into woodland.

Detectives believe she had been tracked through the park by the rapist, described as an Asian man in his 20s.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark McManus said: ‘‘We believe the suspect has followed the victim across the park from the tennis courts, past the monument on to the football fields before approaching her and taking her to a wooded area near Parkside Road where the attack took place.

"There will have been a number of people in and around the park at this time and I am appealing to anyone may have seen anything suspicious to come forward.

"It is possible someone may have witnessed what they believe to be a couple arguing and thought nothing of it, or the suspect in the park area prior to the attack.

"They could be vital witnesses to the investigation and we would ask them to come forward."

After the attack, the rapist is believed to have turned left out of the wooded area and headed towards Parkside Road.

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Det Ch Insp McManus said: "We also believe a group of young males were near the cemetery end of Burras Road around the time of the incident and would ask them to come forward as they may hold vital information as witnesses.

"Inquiries are at an early stage and specially trained officers are continuing to support the victim at this time. Patrols by neighbourhood officers have been increased in the area to provide community reassurance."

The suspect is described as an Asian male, aged 20 to 25 years, about 5ft 7ins tall, of athletic build. He was wearing light-coloured jogging-style bottoms and a bright-coloured hooded top.

Anyone was in the park between 1pm and 2pm yesterday and has any information about the attack has been urged to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team at West Yorkshire Police via: 101 and quoting crime reference number: 13150180322