Central city pickups lead to sex attacks

Lone, drunk women wandering Hamilton's streets during the early hours of the morning are being picked up and raped by a man and woman offering them rides home.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Andy BuBear yesterday confirmed two separate incidents in the city over the past six weeks were linked – with both victims picked up near the intersection of Anglesea and London Sts.

Mr BuBear said the first incident happened on Sunday, December 13, while the second happened on Sunday, January 24.

"In both cases the victims were walking by themselves near the Anglesea–London St intersection."

Mr BuBear said both incidents happened between 3am and 4.30am. In each case the women – both aged in their 20s and from the Waikato – had accepted an offer of a lift home and got into the vehicle which was driven to a rural location.

Waikato police spokesman Andrew McAlley said neither woman had been able to accurately describe where they were taken or specific details of the vehicle. The only similarity between the victims appeared to be that they were intoxicated.

The victims drank alcohol with the occupants of the vehicle before they were sexually assaulted. Mr BuBear said: "In both cases the people in the van have been described as a male Caucasian of thin to medium build aged between 30 to 40 while the woman is described as Maori or Polynesian, of medium build and aged 25 to 35-years-old."

The victims had been traumatised by the incident but neither required hospitalisation. The vehicle involved was described as a van or people mover similar to a Toyota Estima or Honda Odyssey.

Mr BuBear believed the pair were purposefully targeting intoxicated woman walking alone – and he fears there may be other women who have fallen victim but were yet to make a complaint.

Police reminded both men and woman about the "need to be aware of their circumstances, situation, environment and accessibility as much as possible".

Mr BuBear said his inquiry team wanted to hear from anyoneabout similar incidents, or who recognised the description of the two people involved or the vehicle. He can be contacted at Hamilton police on 07 8586200.

- © Fairfax NZ News