A young woman was sexually assaulted near a liquor store carpark in Napier early this morning.

The woman was picked up in a white four-door vehicle near the Ahuriri Liquorland carpark in West Quay at about 3.30am.

Two women hopped out of the car and a man drove off with the young victim. The three occupants are described as being of Indian descent.

The driver stopped at a secluded carpark near the hockey grounds at Park Island and assaulted the young woman.

The man also struck her on the face causing possible injuries to her face and nose before fleeing the scene. The victim has minor injuries.

Police are asking for anyone who saw a four-door vehicle with three Indian occupants in the West Quay area and around Prebensen Drive and Park Island in Napier this morning to contact Detective Stacey Bailey at Hawke’s Bay Police on 06 873 0500.