Hamilton police are searching for a man who attacked and tried to drag a woman into a grassy area as she walked home early Friday, but she managed to run away.

The 23-year-old woman was walking in the area of Quigley Road and Veevers Drive just before 3 a.m. when she was approached from behind, punched and then nearly pulled into a grassy area, police said.

She managed to break free and run home, where she called police. She suffered minor injuries in the assault.

The suspect is described as a white man, between 18 and 23 years old, between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-6, with a thin build.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 905-546-4925 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Police are also asking the public to report suspicious activity, including people or vehicles loitering in their neighbourhoods.