The Vancouver Police Department has issued a public warning in the wake of a sexual assault in the downtown core.

"At approximately 7:30 p.m. on January 5th, a 30 year old woman was walking southbound on Burrard Street near Davie when she was pushed to the ground and sexually assaulted. The woman defended herself by biting her attacker, causing him to release his hold and run away, eastbound on Davie Street towards Granville," a police news release, issued on Monday evening (January 6), states.

Police are describing the suspect as a man in his 30s who is five-foot-four with a "slender build" and short black hair. The suspect was wearing a dark shirt and light-coloured jeans, and carrying a bright yellow backpack, according to the cops.

The department is asking anyone with information about the attack to call its sex crimes unit at 604-717-0602 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.