POLICE last night defended their decision not to release CCTV footage of a man who sexually assaulted a woman at Kings Cross three months ago, saying they did not believe he posed a risk to public safety.

A 22-year-old woman was attacked by a man as she ­walked along Bayswater Rd in the early hours of January 30.

The man had previously spoken to her as she ordered food from a nearby takeaway shop, before following and ­attacking her.

Detective Inspector Paul McDonald yesterday said police had decided to release footage of the incident, almost three months after the attack, because their existing leads had dried up.

“We don't believe there was a threat to public safety at that time,” Insp McDonald said.

“We believed we had some good lines of inquiry to chase this down.”

He said they did not release the footage because they did not consider the incident a ­serious assault and thought they would have been able to identify the man sooner.

But he warned the brazen nature of the attack reiterated the dangers of being out alone.

Police believe it’s possible the attacker was a tourist who has already left the city.

The man is described as being fair-haired and of caucasian appearance, between 30-35-years-old with a medium build, pale skin and a long, pointy nose.

POLICE URGE ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCIDENT TO CALL CRIME STOPPERS ON 1800 333 000 OR CRIME STOPPERS ONLINE