A TRANSPORT company says it is offering “every assistance” to police after a young woman was sexually assaulted on a Southampton bus.

Officers say the 22-year-old was travelling on the red number three First Bus vehicle when she was attacked.

The bus was between Shirley Road and Poundtree Road when the incident happened at about 6.30pm on Wednesday, January 27.

First Buses say the company has spoken with police and insist that the safety of people using its vehicles is of the “utmost importance”.

Chrissie Bainbridge, general manager of First Southampton, said: “The safety of our customers and staff is of utmost importance to us. We have been in contact with the police on this matter and continue to offer every assistance we can in support of their investigations.”

The woman, who is from Southampton, was not injured in the incident.

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses to the attack. and say it is not linked to a series of assaults on women and girls in the city centre, Millbrook and Lordshill areas.

Police Constable Amanda Shearsby from the Western Investigations Team said: “I am appealing directly to any passengers that were on this bus at the time of the assault to come forward and make contact.

“I am also appealing for witnesses who may have been in the Shirley Road area between 5.30pm and 6.30pm or the Poundtree Road area between 6.30pm and 7pm on Wednesday, January 27.”

Her attacker is described as being white, about 30-years-old, and had ginger or fair hair. He was wearing a grey tracksuit top and had a local accent.

Anyone with information can contact Hampshire Police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.