Woman attacked near Harrogate’s Asda crime hot spot

The woman was reportedly attacked outside the Asda, in Bower Road, early yesterday morning.

The main road outside the supermarket was cordoned off by police officers for much of the day.

She was still being interviewed by Harrogate detectives yesterday afternoon.

An Asda spokeswoman said: “At this stage we do not believe the victim was a customer, but are assisting the police with their investigation.”

Last week, figures obtained under a Freedom of Information request revealed there were more crimes committed in and around the supermarket last year than at any other single location in all of North Yorkshire, accounting for six per cent of total crime in the entire Harrogate district.

Asda insists it has discussed the figures with police and claim they encompass the area around the supermarket and not simply the store.

Police tape was put up yesterday at about 6.30am, although the main store remained open to shoppers throughout the day while officers investigated the incident.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said yesterday: “Police are investigating after reports that a young woman was sexually assaulted outside Asda, in Bower Road.

“The investigation is still at a very early stage and we are unable to comment further at this stage.”