A woman was followed by a stranger outside a shopping centre who then threatened to stab and sexually assault her.

Police have appealed for witnesses following a public order offence that took place at around 2.55pm on May 17 outside Marks and Spencer in Milton Keynes Shopping Centre.

A woman in her twenties noticed that she was being followed by a man she did not know from outside M&S all the way to Midsummer Boulevard, towards the job centre.

At this point, the offender threatened to stab and sexually assault the victim.

The woman asked for help from members of the public, and the man turned around and walked back towards Centre MK. The victim was unharmed.

The offender is described as a white man in his thirties, about 5ft 8ins tall with short receding blonde hair. He was wearing a grey t-shirt with a black stripe across the chest with dark tracksuit bottoms, black trainers and carrying a can of beer.

Investigating officer PC Fraser Green, based at Milton Keynes police station, said: “I would like to appeal for anyone who witnessed this incident to please come forward.

“If you have any information about this incident, can get in touch by making a report online or calling 101, quoting reference number 43220214034.

“Alternatively, for 100% anonymity, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”