Detectives are appealing for CCTV footage as part of an appeal being made in connection with a rape investigation in Essex.

People living near the River Walk area in Witham are being asked to contact police if their houses have CCTV which was working between 10pm and 1am on July 21.

Essex Police received a call around 12.15am on July 21 with reports that a woman had been attacked near River Walk.

The woman, who is being supported by specialist officers, told officers that after leaving Newland Street at around 11.30pm, she took a right turn at Mill Lane.

She then walked along a footpath in the wooded area which runs parallel to the River Brain.

When she reached the pond area, she was approached by two white men, one of whom raped her.

Afterwards, the woman was then able to make her way back to Newland Street, where police were called.

DCI Greg Wood, who is leading enquiries, said: “My team have been working hard to ensure that the victim is being supported and that we do everything we can to progress the investigation.

“As local people will know, there are a number of routes that provide entry to the riverside walk.

“If you live in the surrounding area that is close to the riverside walk – for example in Guithavon Road, Guithavon Valley, Mill Lane or Chelmer Road – and you have CCTV which would have been working between 10pm and 1am on July 21, we want to hear from you.

“You may also have heard or seen something which at the time did not seem significant, but please let us judge this.

“If this is the case, we are calling for you to contact the team as soon as possible.”

Chief Inspector Craig Carrington said: “We are fully aware that people in the community will remain very concerned.

“No similar incidents have been reported and we have stepped up patrols, so you may have seen more officers than usual.

“Don’t hesitate to speak to one of our offices if you have any concerns you’d like to raise.

“We will continue to keep the community up to date with our enquiries, and we’d like to thank everyone who has assisted us so far.

“If you have any information or CCTV which could be of further help, please share this with the investigation team.”