A 28-year-old woman was raped by a man while she was walking home at Southwick Green in the early hours of the morning.

The woman was attacked at the north west corner of Southwick Green shortly after 2am.

Detective Inspector Sally Arbuckle said: "The attacker is described as an Asian man, and we are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of Southwick Green around that time and who saw anything suspicious or who saw such a man leaving the area on foot.

"You can contact us online or by calling 101, quoting serial 122 of 01/08.

"The victim is receiving specialist medical and welfare advice and support while we investigate this isolated incident.

"There have been no recent reports of similar offences in the area and local officers are working as part of the investigation and to help reassure local people about the action we are taking.”

The immediate area remains cordoned off while the scene is searched.

The Argus:

A police specialist search team have cordoned off the area and have been photographing benches and other areas of the park.

One neighbour said: "It's completely unexpected. I saw the police around outside at 3am and they were taking everything off and inspecting bins.

"I thought it might be an assault.

"There are often gangs of kids roaming around.

"I wondered if someone had been stabbed.

"How shocking for the poor girl.

"It's so out of the ordinary, it's dreadful.

"It's a harrowing and vile thing to happen.

"When they find the guy I hope they throw away the key."

Another neighbour said: "It's disgusting. I messaged my friends when I saw what had happened.

"I have one friend who lives around the corner.

"We are both in our 20s and I also have a younger sister.

"It's not nice waking up to news like this.

"I often come out to smoke on the bench, especially in the evening.

"I hope the woman is okay.

"You hear about these things happening but never think it will be right outside your gate.

"I sleep with the windows open and just wish I had heard something which could help the police."

One woman walking her dog said: "My first reaction this morning was that I thought there had been a murder.

"It puts you off living here.

"It is so dark in that park, there are no lights, that's the problem.

"I would not even take my dogs out at night without my husband.

"It's a real shame and it does make you scared to live around here."