POLICE have sealed off part of an Essex town after a woman said she had been sexually assaulted.

James Hore

By James Hore

DETECTIVES investigating a serious sex attack on a teenage girl in an Essex town have appealed for help from the public.

The 17-year-old was assaulted in the St Botolph's underpass close to Colchester Town Station.

The assault took place between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on Tuesday and officers sealed off the area yesterday so forensic examinations could take place in daylight.

CCTV footage has also been examined and detectives have appealed for people in the area at the time to contact them so they can rule them out of enquiries.

The teenager, who has been interviewed by specialist officers, was attacked in the underpass which links Mersea Road and St Botolph's near Molly Malones pub.

Detective Sergeant Steve Jennings called for people who were in the area on Tuesday night to contact police, even if they did not witness the attack.

He said: “I would like anyone who used the subway late Tuesday evening to call us.

“Even if they think they saw or heard nothing, that in itself may be of considerable use to our investigation.”

A police spokesman added: “Callers may be able to help by identifying and eliminating images of people caught on camera.”

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.

n Police revealed last night that an 18-year-old girl who claimed to have been the victim of a sex attack in Great Bentley, near Colchester, has retracted the allegation.

The teenager told officers she had been assaulted near the village green at around 10.30pm last Friday.

The allegation sparked house-to-house inquiries and claims that a “sex fiend” was on the loose.

james.hore@eadt.co.uk