A 20-year-old man has been arrested after a woman was subjected to a “terrifying attack” with sexual motives in Oxted on Sunday afternoon (12 February).

The victim, a woman in her 50s, was walking her dog along a bridleway known as Old Lane, near to Rockfield Road.

A man approached and assaulted the victim causing her to fall to the ground before he tried to remove items of her clothing. He then fled on foot when the woman’s dog started barking at him.

“This was a terrifying attack on a lone woman and I would urge anyone who was in the area around the time of this incident and who saw anything suspicious to contact Surrey Police as a matter of urgency,” said Detective Chief Inspector Karen Hughes.

“Although the woman was not seriously injured in the attack the ordeal has understandably left her shaken and we need to find the person responsible and bring them to justice.

“We are still in the early stages of the investigation but we do believe the suspect may have had sexual motives and we need the community to help us piece together this incident.”

Tandridge Neighbourhood Inspector Angie Austin, added: “Neighbourhood officers will be increasing patrols around the area to reassure the community and the team will also be assisting with house to house enquiries to ensure we are doing everything we can to identify the suspect.”

The suspect is described as a white man, in his late teens, around 6ft tall, with dark brown wavy hair and clean shaven. He was wearing a black puffer style jacket, a light coloured jumper, trousers and trainers.

A man in his 20s has been arrested in connection with this incident and is currently in police custody helping officers with the investigation.

In October, two 15-year-old boys were charged with raping a  girl in Master Park.

• Anyone who saw anything suspicious around the time of the incident is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/687 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.