A North End Halifax community is on edge after a woman was raped off Agricola Street this week.

Some residents said they were taking extra precautions when out at night. The 21-year-old woman was walking alone on Agricola Street at about 2 a.m. Wednesday near Gus's pub.

She told police a man approached her and offered to call her cab. He lured her into a lane and raped her.

Students at a pottery class near the assault were shaken. Teacher Elizabeth Macadoo said it was disturbing.

"I moved here from Montreal and I actually felt a lot more safer there," she said Thursday evening. "I am a little scared when I hear about something like that. But it also brings the community together, because everyone talks about it."

Amanda Smith, who was also at the class, said she was wary. "It was definitely on my mind. I was curious to see if I was going to see fewer people on the street walking down Agricola," she said.

Student Ceilidh Trites said it would not stop her from going out. "My parents used to live here right near Gus's pub. That's really horrible to hear. But I still feel safe," she said.

Police ask for help finding attacker

Halifax police's sexual assault investigative team are seeking the public's help in identifying the attacker.

The man is described as aged about 24, 5'10" with a medium build and light brown hair. Police said he was a stranger to the woman and the attack was random.

"It's very concerning. We don't see sexual assaults like this very often, so we are really imploring the public to come forward. No piece of information is too small," police spokeswoman Theresa Rath said.