Woman, 23, dragged by hair in terrifying Perth beach attack as police hunt suspect

A 23-year-old woman has narrowly escaped a terrifying attack after she was allegedly grabbed by the hair and dragged towards bushes while walking alone from Halls Head beach, about 75km south of Perth.

The ordeal unfolded about 7.45pm on Tuesday evening along a path linking the beach to the Calypso Rd carpark, when police said the woman was heading back to her car.

A WA Police spokesman said the victim was walking along the pathway when an “unknown man exited the bushes next to the path”.

“The man followed her for a short distance before grabbing her hair and pulling her off the path towards the bushes,” the spokesman said.

“The victim was able to break free and ran to her car, with the man following her.”

“The woman drove straight to a police station and reported the matter.”

Mandurah detectives have launched an urgent investigation and are appealing for public help to identify the attacker.

He is described as having a dark complexion, aged between 30 and 40, about 183cm tall, with a large build and short dark hair. At the time, he was wearing a dark T-shirt and black pants.

Police are urging anyone who was in the Halls Head beach or Calypso Rd area between 7pm and 8pm, and who may have seen the man or noticed anything suspicious, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police have also set up a dedicated online portal where dashcam or mobile phone footage can be uploaded directly to investigators.