The incident happened on Baines Lane, an access road located off the A47 Hinckley Road
Rucsandra Moldoveanu Senior Reporter
17:56, 26 Apr 2026
A view of Baines Lane from the Leicester Forest East Southbound Services M1(Image: Google)
Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was sexually assaulted near the southbound M1 services in Leicester Forest East.
Leicestershire Police explained the victim, aged in her 20s, was grabbed from behind by a man while she was walking along Baines Lane towards the 147 Hinckley Road at around 6.45pm on Saturday, April 25.
The attacker, described as a white man in his 50s, then pulled the woman to the ground and sexually assaulted her.
The victim began shouting for help, which prompted the attacker to run off towards the southbound services.
The woman is being supported by specially trained officers while enquiries to identify the person responsible for the assault remain ongoing.
The suspect is also described as of slim build, with grey hair and grey beard. He was wearing a black and white short-sleeved top.
Anyone who saw someone matching this description is asked to contact the police.
Detective Inspector Jenny Tattersall said: “Although Baines Lane is an access road, we do know it’s used by people to get onto the M1 southbound.
“I’m appealing for anyone with dashcam footage who was at the services between 5pm and 7pm to get in touch.
“Any information you’re able to provide, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, could help.”
Information can be passed by calling 101, quoting incident number 26*238050.