Police are appealing to the public after a woman was assaulted in Dunedin in the early hours of this morning

A male is understood to have approached a young woman from behind before assaulting her shortly after 1 o'clock.

Police say the assault happened on Bath Street in central Dunedin and they want to speak to anyone who saw suspicious people or activity in the area.

The woman was treated for minor injuries at Dunedin Hospital.