A young woman fought off an attacker in her Palmerston North home overnight, less than two weeks after a similar attack in the city.

The 20-year-old woman was sexually violated in her Linton St home after a man entered her room about 2am today through an unsecured window.

She managed to fight him off and he then fled.

READ MORE: Attacker left sweatshirt in victim's home

A 23-year-old woman was sexually violated by an intruder in her Ferguson St home at 12.30am last Thursday.

Last November 16, a woman in her 20s was sexually assaulted in her bedroom at another Linton St address, and on October 22, a 21-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in her Ferguson St home, this time in the Botanical Rd and Cook St area.

Those cases remain unsolved.

The Central District field crime manager, Acting Detective Inspector Neil Forlong, said the latest victim was shaken and distressed, and had been offered victim support.

"Officers are currently speaking to others who reside at the property and are also in the process of conducting an area canvass," he said.

A scene examination was expected to be completed this afternoon.

"Priorities for us over the next 24 to 48 hours will be to take a formal statement from the victim and continue with our area inquiries, as well as increasing patrols in the wider central areas of the city," Forlong said.

Details were being gathered in an effort to release a description of the offender in the coming days, he said.

Forlong reminded people to secure their windows and lock their doors at night.

"If you are going to sleep with your windows open, make sure you install some security stays," he said.

"We are committed to identifying and locating whoever is responsible for this incident, and the public can also help us by being vigilant and keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity in their community."

The police would like to hear from anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously in the Linton St area between 1am and 3am today, or who knew anything about the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Dave Thompson on (06) 213 9593. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.